(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-10 09:06

BIRMINGHAM, England - Hampered by a knee injury, China's defending champion Lin Dan failed in his bid for a fourth All-England men's singles title when he suffered a shock straight games defeat from compatriot Chen Jin in Sunday's final.

China's Chen Jin, celebrates after beating China's Lin Dan, in the final of the All England Badminton Championships in the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England, Sunday, March 9, 2008. [Agencies]

Chen, the world No.4, had never beaten world No.1 Lin in six previous meetings, but he completed the championship without dropping a game with a 22-20, 25-23 victory.

Having had three match points he finally won it on the fourth with a cross-court smash.

Lin suffered an injury to his left knee in training recently in Beijing, and he said: "It really hurt when I got up this morning and I couldn't jump or smash properly. I did think about pulling out when he got ahead in the second, but there were a lot of spectators and I wanted to keep playing for them.

"I am disappointed, but I am also pleased for Chen. He is a good friend and a team mate and he deserved the win today."

Despite the injury, the 24-year-old still hopes to play in this week's Swiss Open Super Series in Basle. "I do not play until Wednesday, so I hope the two days rest will be enough," he added.

Chen admitted he was "very happy" but was not too surprised to spring the shock. "I had heard yesterday that he maybe had a little problem with his knee and, although I've never beaten him in a tournament, I have beaten him in training."

For Chen, who is the defending champion in Switzerland this week, the victory boosted his hopes of keeping his place among China's top three men's singles players and therefore making the Olympic Games in Beijing in August. In the first game, Lin won the first three points and was never behind until losing two points in a row from 19-18. He managed to save one game point at 20-19 but couldn't stage a repeat at 20-21.

Chen took control early in the second but needed four match points and had to save one game point at 22-23 before clinching his coveted first All-England title.

Dane Rasmussen breaks Chinese monopoly

Denmark's Tine Rasmussen claimed a second significant Chinese scalp of the week to win her first All England title on Sunday.

Denmark's Tine Rasmussen, lifts the women's singles All England Badminton Championship trophy after beating Lu Lan of China in the final at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England, Sunday, March 9, 2008. [Agencies]

The world number nine edged past third seed Lu Lan 21-11 18-21 22-20 in an enthralling contest.

It was the first victory in the women's singles final at the All Englands by a non-Chinese player since 2002 when Rasmussen's famed compatriot Camilla Martin took the title.

Martin, in Denmark, was among the first to congratulate her. "She's just texted me to say welcome to the club," Rasmussen told a media conference.

Rasmussen, 28, had beaten world champion Zhu Lin in the second round and was not short of confidence for the final, played to a near capacity crowd at the National Indoor Arena.

She cruised through the first game and looked in control at 14-12 up in the second only for Lu to take six points in a row on the way to levelling the tie.

The decider was a nervy affair after Rasmussen lost a 10-3 lead to trail 15-13. The score crept to 16-16 then 20-18 to the Dane where gallant Lu saved the first of two match points.

But Rasmussen was not to be denied, adding the All England title to successes in the Super Series in Malaysia in January and Japan last September.

The Dane, out of action for seven months in 2005 with a ruptured Achilles, told reporters: "I am not nervous about winning but still you want to make it happen.

"The last point is always difficult but I was calm and I made it through."

Rasmussen will rise to world number seven when the rankings are next published and looms as a major prospect for a medal at the Beijing Olympics.

But for now it's all about celebrating with champagne bought by boyfriend and physiotherapist Martin Baum. "It's a big night," said the new champion.