Lin cruises to badminton success

China's Lin Dan of China won badminton men's singles gold in Beijing, beating Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia 21-12 21-8.

The top seed was in control from the outset and eased past second seed Lee for China's third badminton title.

Lin, 24, took an 11-1 lead in the second game with Lee's only point coming on an unforced error by Lin.

Bidding for Malaysia's first Olympic gold, Lee was no match for Lin, who won the match with a smash down the line that Lee returned into the net.

A soldier in the People's Liberation Army, Lin wrapped a Chinese flag around his shoulders and saluted to the crowd.

"I think this is one of the best matches of my career," he said.

China's Chen Jin won the bronze, defeating Lee Hyunil of South Korea 21-16 12-21 21-14.

Lee had been booed a few days earlier when he dumped Chinese third seed Bao Chunlai out of the tournament in a heated match.

But the crowd was on their best behaviour on Sunday, enjoying a closely-fought match which Chen won with an overhead smash.

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