Badminton: Chen through to Singapore final

SINGAPORE: China’s reigning world champion Chen Jin defeated compatriot Wang Zhengming in straight games to advance to the Singapore Open badminton final. Chen, 25, was in top form as he outclassed his younger opponent with superb smashes and deftly placed drop shots to win 21-17 and 21-11, setting up a clash with either his countryman Lin Dan or Denmark’s Peter Gade in the final. “I think my form is getting better but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” said Chen after the win.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.