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A perfect day for Zhang Ning



Zhang Ning retains her title. (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images)


(BEIJING, August 16) -- Thirty-three-year-old Zhang Ning fought against all odds to defend her Badminton Women's Singles title on August 16 after defeating her teammate Xie Xingfang in the final.

Xie Xingfang in the match (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
World No. 1 Xie Xingfang's journey to the final was much easier than Zhang's. Conceding just one game in four matches, Xie came to the final as the favorite. In contrast, World No. 7 Zhang's stamina had been questioned since the beginning of the tournament. Even after Zhang battled to the final, few believed she could win on tired legs.
However, Zhang was the first player to turn on the gears in the final. In the first game, Zhang countered Xie's attack with precise crosscourt flights and hairpin shots. She stayed ahead most of the game and won a comfortable 21-12.
Xie made a second-game comeback as expected, using smashing combined with drops to put pressure on Zhang Ning's exhausted legs. When Xie took the second game 21-10, most thought Zhang's chance of winning this match was running out.

Zhang Ning in the match (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
But Olympic-gold-medal-proven Zhang showed the crowd she had the heart of a champion. In the last game, Zhang continued her precise shots and drops, leaving little room for Xie to operate. Zhang led the game from start to end winning the game with a final score of 21-18. After such an outstanding performance, it's hard to believe Zhang is a 33-year-old Badminton veteran.
This year's Games may be Zhang's last Olympic appearance having already planned to retire after her Athens gold. She is also the eldest Badminton Women's Singles Olympic champion in history.