Lee clinches Asia Badminton C'ships after close final

Lee Chong Wei, ranked second in the world, defeated China's Chen Long, ranked first, in a closely-fought final at the Asia Badminton Championships in Wuhan. Wang Yihan won the women's final.

Lee Chong Wei with the men's singles trophy at the culmination of the Badminton Asia Championships.

Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei defeated his rival and world number one Chen Long of China on Sunday in the final of the Asia Badminton Championships. The 33-year-old beat Chen 21-17, 15-21, 21-13 in the closely-fought final that lasted an hour and 22 minutes in Wuhan.

It is Lee's third title this year and his second badminton Asia championship, he last won it in 2006. Lee is currently ranked second in the world. Chen won seven straight points in the first set before Lee finished off with six straight points for the win. Chen then bounced back in the second set, but Lee won by a large margin in the third with 21-13.

In the semifinal on Saturday, Lee easily defeated two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan, while Chen crushed Tian Houwei of China in straight sets.

In the women's singles, China's Wang Yihan defeated Li Xuerui of China 21-14, 13-21, 21-16 in an hour, clinching her third Asian title. It was an even match with both players having won nine games against each other before today's contest.

The championship is worth $500,000 in prize money, according to the organiser's website.