China’s Chen Long became the first men’s singles player to win consecutive French Open titles since India’s Vimal Kumar in 1983-84 with his straight games win over Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie.

It is Chen’s first title of 2019 and first in 12 months as he further cements his place inside the Top 8 of the HSBC Race To Guangzhou standings.

Highlights | Chen Long 🇨🇳 becomes the first men's singles player since India's Vimal Kumar in 1983-84 to retain his YONEX French Open title and in doing claims his first HSBC BWF World Tour victory in 2019 🏸#HSBCBWFbadminton #HSBCRaceToGuangzhou #FrenchOpen2019 pic.twitter.com/M7lrXJ1uBF

— BWF (@bwfmedia) October 27, 2019

Chen told media post-match: “I’ve won numerous titles in my career. This win might have taken a while but I’m still myself and doing my best.

“Of course, I’m happy to have won. I’ve played 10 matches in two weeks now, so I’m a bit tired. I didn’t show it but actually deep down I’m ecstatic with many mixed feelings.”

The 21-19 21-12 win extends Chen’s winning streak over Christie to 8-0.

“I didn’t overthink. This is a final and I’m sure he wants to win as well,” he said.

“My aim was to just focus and play my game from the first point. I’m helpless if I feel tired towards the end of a match but what’s important is that I give my best when I still have the energy.”

Lee/Shin Break Drought

Highlights | Lee and Shin 🇰🇷 make an impressive comeback over their compatriots Kim and Kong in a three game thriller 🏸#HSBCBWFbadminton #HSBCRaceToGuangzhou #FrenchOpen2019 pic.twitter.com/M4A0irwsAt

— BWF (@bwfmedia) October 27, 2019

Fifth seeds Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan got the better of compatriots Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong in the all-Korean women’s doubles final to claim their first title since the Fuzhou China Open last year.

It was a day to remember for Korea after An Se Young’s thrilling women’s singles victory.

Lee and Shin’s victory made up for their defeat against Kim and Kong at the Korean Open a month ago.

“We’re really happy because we haven’t won in a very long time,” said Lee.

“We learned how to restrict them. They are very aggressive but after our last final [in Korea] we worked out how to slow them down.

“I didn’t start so well. I wasn’t in good shape. But my partner helped me a lot to build my confidence and it’s thanks to her that we were able to win.”

Minions Win Again

Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo claimed their seventh HSBC BWF World Tour title of 2019 with a straight-games win over Indian youngsters Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.

Sukamuljo said of the 21-18 21-16 win: “Of course, we’re very happy. Two weeks in a row is special. Hopefully, we can do the same at the Fuzhou China Open 2019 and YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open 2019 coming up.”

Highlights | Getting straight to the point, Gideon and Sukamuljo 🇮🇩 do it again with a straight games victory over Rankireddy and Shetty 🇮🇳🏸#HSBCBWFbadminton #HSBCRaceToGuangzhou #FrenchOpen2019 pic.twitter.com/Y1meuWQU8Z

— BWF (@bwfmedia) October 27, 2019

When quizzed on what motivates them to keep on winning, Gideon added: “We are just trying our best and enjoying every match. Badminton is fun, we enjoy it and that’s the way it should be.”

The Indonesians are now 7-0 against the world No.11 Indians.

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