MALAYSIA’S Lee Chong Wei stunned world No. 1 Chen Long of China 21-15, 21-11 to capture the men’s singles title at the China Open in Fuzhou, Southeast China’s Fujian Province, on Sunday.

    The victory allowed the 33-year-old, a former world No. 1 himself, to secure his second Super Series title this season.

    Lee dismissed Chen in 50 minutes, denying the top seed his sixth Super Series title of the year.

    Lee, currently unseeded after a eight-month doping ban, has had a patchy year that saw him make early exits in Japan, South Korea and Denmark, and had lost to Chen in their last four meetings.

    The Malaysian beat long-time rival and five-time world champion Lin Dan on Saturday to reach the final, in a hard-fought three sets that may silence critics who have questioned Lee’s fitness since he returned to the court.

    “I’m really happy to have won the China Open on the home court of Lin Dan and Chen Long,” said Lee. “I’ve won many titles, except the China Open. It was very hard to get. Today I just played fast, just kept going.”

    Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak congratulated Lee for ending Malaysia’s 13-year wait to win the China Open title.

    “Congratulations @Lee Chong Wei! Defeating not one but two of China’s badminton giants, Chen Long and Lin Dan, on their own turf, it is a victory to be proud of!,” Najib said in his latest Twitter entry.

    Najib is in Antalya, Turkey, leading the Malaysian delegation to the two-day G20 Summit.

    The last time a Malaysian won the title was in 2002 with Wong Choong Hann doing the honors.

    Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, world No. 6 Li Xuerui of China beat top seed and defending champion Saina Nehwal of India 21-12, 21-15.

    Former world No. 1 and Olympic champion Li continued a solid run in Fuzhou after scooping the title in Denmark last month.

    (SD-Agencies)