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Summary Superstar Lin Dan led hosts China to an emphatic victory over South Korea in the Thomas Cup final.
Widely regarded as the best player of all time and a sporting hero in China, Lin threw his t-shirt into the Wuhan crowd after his side were far too good in seeing off the Koreans 3-0 -- repeating the feat of the womens team Saturday.Lots went through my mind last night. I dont know how many more Thomas Cups Ill play. This one is at home and I wanted to put on a good show, said 28-year-old Lin, known as Super Dan to his adoring millions of fans.Every player gets nervous. When youre young its because youre excited, its the first time you wear your national colours. When youre older, its because theres a lot of expectation... I didnt sleep so well last night.But the reigning Olympic champion showed no signs of tiredness or nerves in his match against Lee Hyun-Il, the 21-14, 21-17 victory easier than the scoreline suggested.At our level it doesnt matter if you win 21-9 or 21-19, its the outcome that counts, Lin said as China picked up their fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title and ninth since the mens tournament began in 1949.South Koreas world number seven managed to push the world number two harder in the second game, drawing even at 17-17 as Lin buried a smash into the net. But he failed to win another point.There were no tactical changes between the games, said Lee, I just took every point as it came. But in the end I made too many mistakes. Thats why I lost.South Koreas coach Sung Han-Kook had said the first singles was the key match -- whoever wins takes the momentum in the tie.He is a superior player, said Lee, his accuracy and speed are remarkable. And it is his consistency throughout a match that keeps him apart from the rest.Looking ahead to his final preparations ahead of London, Lin said he wanted everything to be like in 2008 before Beijing, also a year China won the Thomas Cup.I am going to use every day as an opportunity to prepare and improve, said Lin, whose path to another gold may be a little easier since world number one and archrival Lee Chong Wei injured his ankle earlier in the week.South Koreas doubles pairing put up a fight to rescue the final, but when they failed to convert a handful of game points the Chinese duo punished them, with Fu Haifeng ripping off his t-shirt as they won 21-16, 25-23.It was left to the towering Chen Long to wrap up the match for his country in the second singles, and swanning onto court the world number three looked to be savouring the moment ahead of time.But he did the business, out-classing the in-form Shon Wan-Ho, especially with some exquisite backhand slices, to win 21-9, 21-13.The mens victory caps a stunning week for Chinas Olympic preparations, after the womens team won the Uber Cup, also against South Korea, and also without dropping a single match on the way.
