Published: Monday March 11, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Monday March 11, 2013 MYT 1:21:59 AM
Chen Long downs Chong Wei 21-17, 21-18
BIRMINGHAM: China's Chen Long won his first All England championship when he beat Malaysia's world number one Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 21-18 here.
It was a frustrating game for Chong Wei who was favoured to take home the title in the absence of arch-rival Lin Dan.
Instead he succumbed to Chen Long's fast-paced attacking game. Chen Long took substantial leads in both games and although Chong Wei clawed his way back he was never able to mount a sustained challenge.
Cheng Long, still only 24 and seen as a potential successor to Lin Dan was able to penetrate Chong Wei's strong defence with a range of smashes and drop shots.
Chong Wei was left to rue a chance to pick up his third title in his fifth straight appearance in the men's singles final.
Earlier, Tine Baun became the oldest All-England women's singles winner of the open era when she beat the youngest finalist Ratchanok Intanon in an uniquely emotional final.
The 33-year-old's 21-14, 16-21, 21-10 win over the 18-year-old brought to an end the career of one of the outstanding players of the past ten years, and the only woman to threaten Chinese dominance.
The Dane only decided to compete this year as a "last adventure" but instead, as seventh seed, surprised herself by winning the All-England title back and taking it a third time.
Her young Thai opponent, the youngest world junior champion at the age of 14, was not far from spoiling the script with her wonderful movement and wide range of strokes and looked a likely future champion.