Zhou Mi Wins Japan Open Title

Zhou Mi Won Japan Badminton Championships Women's Singles Final

---

Second seed Zhou Mi of China powered past third seed Gong Ruina 11-8, 11-0 to win her first Japan Open title in the all-Chinese women's singles final at the Japan Open badminton championships Sunday.

Zhou pocketed the US$12,420 top prize.

Muhammad Roslin Hashim became the first Malaysian to win the men's singles title by beating Lee Hyung-Il of South Korea yesterday.

Zhou, 22, said she felt comfortable on court. "I played comfortably because my opponent was also my teammate," said Zhou. "I just needed to play my best, and I think I played 100 per cent today.

"We practice together and we know each other very well, so, of course, I had tactics against her, but I'm not going to tell you what my tactics were," added Zhou, who stretched her record against Gong to 6-3.

It was her seventh major title and the first of the season, following her triumphs at the 1998 Dutch Open, the 1999 Korean, French and Chinese Opens and last year's Dutch and Danish Opens.

Fresh from his victory at the Swiss Open two weeks ago, the world No 3 Hashim combined his defensive game with an array of successful smashes and attacks to score a 15-11, 15-6 victory in 48 minutes.

"I've taken part in the Japan Open three times. I reached the quarter-finals on my first attempt and the semi-finals last year. I'm really glad that I won today," said Hashim, 25.

"I think I put my name in my country's badminton history books by winning this title. I'm really happy about that."

Malaysia have only ever won the men's doubles title at the Japan Open, with victories by Razif Sidek and Jalani Sidek in 1986 and Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock in 1998.

Hashim fell behind 1-3 in the early stages, but soon caught Lee to take a 5-3 lead in the opening game, never looking back.

It was Lee, who defeated Hashim at the Korean Open in January, who appeared nervous, committing a server's fault at 9-12 down in the first game. His second game was peppered with errors.

Hashim grinned as he won the first point of the second game when Lee hit an easy forehand attack long, and then unleashed two unstoppable smashes to lead 3-0 before chalking up a comfortable 10-1 lead.

Lee fought back to 5-13 and then to 6-14, but his backhanded shot on the first match point flew over Hashim, who calmly watched it go out and screamed with joy.