China's second-seeded pair Zhang Yawen and Xie Zhongbo won the mixed doubles gold by battling past compatriots Gao Ling and Zheng Bo 21-15, 21-9 at 2007 Beijing International Badminton Tournament here on Sunday.
In the closely-fought first set, the world fourth-ranked mixed doubles pair gained the early lead at 4-0 with Zhang asserting herself at net and Xie unleashing smashes.
The persevering duo of Gao and Zheng reversed the situation to lead 11-10 before the break. The margin was finally opened at 21-15 at the end of the first set.
The second set started at a dramatic 6-0 lead by Zhang and Xie and they stormed to a 12-3 before the break. The all-mighty pair have been in a dominant mood till the end to lock the win at 21-9 in 32 minutes.
"I want to thank her (Zhang) so much. She always encourages me and cheers me up when I feel frustrated on court," said Xie after the match.
"We are from the same region, so we communicate in our own dialect, which makes me feel relaxed," he added.
On the same court earlier the day, fourth-seeded Zhao Tingting and Xu Chen beat teammates Hong Jingyu and Bao Zilong 21-8, 21-12 in 19 minutes to reap the mixed doubles bronze at the tournament.
Following the pullout of Malaysian Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty, the all-Chinese mixed doubles competition was held from Oct. 11-14 at Beijing University of Technology (BUT) Gymnasium, the badminton venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Source: Xinhua
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