Denmark stars Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen have just missed out on creating a little piece of history this morning as they lost a dramatic three-game China Open final to world number one duo Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei.

There was the chance for the Danes to win their maiden China Open Superseries title – but also to regain a trophy which has not been in European hands for more than 10 years. In 2005, English pair Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms lifted the title.

Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen rebounded from losing the first game (19-21) to take the second game 21-17 and reach the third game against the current Olympic champions.

And the Danes are no strangers to drama. There was little drama Fischer and Pedersen had not experienced, both in victory and defeat. When the Danes were in the lead (19-18) in the third game, they needed to go back only to 2012 and remember their London Olympic Games semi-final match against the same opponents when they faced the exact same situation before their eventual defeat.

And Sunday, it would not be enough again.



The 2014 European Champions lost 19-21, 21-17, 19-21 in the longest match (87 minutes) of the finals day.

“We’re very disappointed because we were two points away from winning. We’ve played each other many times. They are very strong and it’s always very close. It was a fast match and could have gone either way,” said Joachim Fischer to the BWF.

Lee Chong Wei and Li Xuerui take singles titles

Former world number one Lee Chong Wei beat current top ranked men’s singles player Chen Long (China) to win the China Open in straight games, securing his second major title of the season. The Malaysian won 21-11, 21-15.

Meanwhile, in the women's singles, world number six Li Xuerui of China beat top seed and defending champion Saina Nehwal of India 21-12, 21-15.

The finals results:

MS: Lee Chong Wei (MAS) - Chen Long (CHN) 21-15, 21-11
WS: Li Xuerui (CHN) - Saina Nehwal (IND) 21-12, 21-15
MD: Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang (KOR) - Chai Biao/Hong Wei (CHN) 21-13, 21-19
WD: Tang Yuanting/Yu Yang (CHN) - Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) 18-21, 21-13, 21-12
XD: Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) - Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen (DEN) 21-19, 17-21, 21-19

Click here for all results from China.

Article by Manuel Rösler. Photos (LIVE) by BadmintonPhoto.