China powers past Japan to claim 10th Sudirman Cup

China's strength and depth proved too much for Japan as the defending champions clinched their 10th Sudirman Cup title with a 3-0 win in the final on Sunday.

The hosts met some challenges in the men's doubles match but controlled the tie throughout to achieve their sixth consecutive victory in this world mixed team badminton championship, reports Xinhua.

When Lin Dan sealed the victory with a powerful smash, Chinese players hugged and applauded, arousing thunderous cheers from a packed arena at the Dongguan Sports Center here.

"The competition is fiercer than expected. I fought to the end and I did it, " said Lin Dan, the dual Olympic champion.

The Sudirman Cup, launched in 1989 as one of the most prestigious tournaments in badminton, witnessed China take first their trophy in 1995.

In the past 20 years, only South Korea had won once - in 2003.

On Sunday afternoon, Hiroyuki Endo/Kenichi Hayakawa, the world No.6 men's doubles pair, raised early hopes of an upset after fighting back to win the second set.

But the rest of the challenge failed to measure up as China's leading duo Zhang Nan/Fu Haifeng nailed it 21-17, 20-22, 21-17.

In all the five disciplines, men's doubles is a relatively a weak spot for China.

"It's a tough battle. This point is usually the most difficult but we hang on and won it. It's a big boost for us," said Fu Haifeng, who won the 2012 Olympic gold with partner Cai Yun.

Cina's Zhang Nan said he felt honoured to be selected to play for two disciplines for his country.

"My physical condition is good. The first victory is able to make me more relaxed and confident to play the fifth game if necessary," said Zhang Nan.

Li Xuerui, the women's singles champion in the 2012 London Olympics, used 42 minutes to beat Akane Yamaguchi 23-21, 21-14 in the women's singles match and put China 2-0 ahead.

"The first set is very close. In the second, when I played in my rhythm she began to make mistakes," said the World No.1 Li.

Then it was Lin Dan's turn. "Super Dan" proved too strong for 25th-ranked Takuma Ueda, winning 21-15, 21-13 in the men's singles contest to seal the title for China.

The final results:

China bt Japan 3-0

Men's doubles:

Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan bt Hiroyuki Endo/Kenichi Hayakawa 21-17, 20-22, 21-17.

Women's singles:

Li Xuerui bt Akane Yamaguchi 23-21, 21-14.

Men's singles:

Lin Dan bt Takuma Ueda 21-15, 21-13.