By Nick Butler

Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi gained a shock Japanese victory over China in the women's doubles ©Getty ImagesJapanese pair Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi produced a major shock at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Superseries Finals in Dubai today, beating Chinese world champions to women's doubles gold.


China also suffered defeat in the men's doubles as Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea fought back to claim a thrilling three set victory over Chai Biao and Hong Wei, while Taiwan's Tai Tzu Ying claimed the women's singles. 

Normal service was resumed however in the men's singles, when Chen Long overcame Denmark's surprise finalist Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in two straight games, before Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei won an all-Chinese mixed doubles final.

World champion Chen, benefiting from the absence of London 2012 winning compatriot Dan Lin and Malaysia's defending champion Lee Chong Wei, who failed a doping test earlier this year, was always the clear favourite in the flagship men's event. 

Vittinghus, the only European to make any of the five finals in Dubai, started well but was always on the back foot against his more experienced opponent, as he lost out 21-16, 21-10. 

Chen Long shakes hands with Hans-Kristian Vittinghus following the Chinese player's victory in the men's singles final ©AFP/Getty ImagesChen Long shakes hands with Hans-Kristian Vittinghus following the Chinese player's victory in the men's singles final ©AFP/Getty Images



In the women's doubles Chinese players have tended to be just as dominant as Chen Long in 2014, and when Indonesia's Asian Games champions Nitya Krishinda Maheswari
and Greysia Polii lost in the first round, anything other than more success seemed unfeasible.

But Matsutomo and Takahashi, who have lost to Chinese opponents in four Superseries finals this year, had other ideas, dispatching world champions Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei in clinical fashion, 21-17 21-14.

In a bitterly fought game, which included a 130-shot rally in the opening game, they were simply too consistent and strong in defence for their rivals. 

"We didn't have a specific strategy," admitted Takahashi afterwards.

"The Chinese are hard to beat because they usually maintain the attack, we never expected to win in straight games."

In the men's doubles final which opened proceedings, the Chinese pair were always the underdogs as World Championship and Asian Games runners-up Lee and Yoo sought to crown a year in which their biggest challenge has come from Indonesia or fellow South Korean pairs.

But, after very nearly failing at the final stage again, they fought back in fine style to win a one hour 24 minute epic, 19-21 21-19 21-16.

Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea (right) won the opening final in Dubai, in the men's doubles ©Getty ImagesYong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea (right) won the opening final in Dubai, in the men's doubles ©Getty Images



"To be honest, we weren't at 100 percent in the first game," said Lee.

"We knew we just had to win one game and then we would be back on track, I really wanted to win in Dubai and this ranks as one of our best wins.

"We knew Chai and Hong are a very aggressive pair; they're getting better all the time."

There was South Korean defeat, and another surprise, in the women's singles as world number nine Tai of Taiwan overcame fifth ranked Sung Ji Hyun, 21-17, 21-12. 

In a tournament notable for disappointing results by Chinese players, Tai secured the biggest win of her career after yesterday shocking Indian hope Saina Nahwal at the semi-final stage.

But China enjoyed success in the concluding event, as reigning world, Olympic and Asian Games champions, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei, defeated compatriots Liu Cheng and Bao Yixin in an all-Chinese mixed doubles final. 

The favoured pair started well and never looked back, taking just 41 minutes to complete a perfect year in style, winning 21-15 21-12.

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