Choong Hann’s purple patch in the China Masters was brought to an abrupt end by China’s World No 1 Lin Dan in an emphatic way in Chengdu yesterday.

Choong Hann, the unseeded World No 25, showed flashes of his past brilliance in the first game before losing 21-19, but was then outplayed in the second 21-9 as Lin Dan took the title in 32 minutes for his third super series title this year.

It was Choong Hann’s first appearance in a final in an established international tournament since 2003, and ironically, it was at the China Open when he also finished as runner-up.

The 30-year-old Malaysian had a great run in Chengdu where he beat World No 2 Chen Hong of China in the first round, Indonesian World No 11 Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the second and Denmark’s World No 9 Kenneth Jonassen in the last eight.

But when it came to Lin Dan in the final, it was a bridge too far for the veteran player.

Although Choong Hann matched his younger opponent in the first game and even led 16-14 at one point, he did not have the pace or aggression to pull away

Winning the first game put Lin Dan in cruise control and, not surprisingly, Choong Hann surrendered tamely to allow his much superior opponent to run away with the title.

Lin Dan’s victory was worth US$20,000 (RM70,000) while Choong Hann picked up US$10,000 (RM35,000) for his effort.

"I was getting desperate to break Lin Dan’s rhythm and in the end, started making too many errors," said a disappointed Choong Hann. "I could have done better reading his game.

"Also, there was draft and Lin Dan handled that well to win."

Choong Hann, who was not given much of a chance when the tournament started, will be playing in his third tournament in as many weeks when he competes in the Philippines Open beginning on Wednesday.

The Malaysian has a tough second round match in Manila where he is expected to meet Jonassen, and if he advances, there is the exciting prospect of meeting top-seeded compatriot Lee Chong Wei in the last four.

Meanwhile, Lilyana Natsir-Vita Marissa stopped the China juggernaut from making a clean sweep when they beat local hopefuls Yang Wei-Zhao Tingting 12-21, 21-15, 21-16 in the women’s doubles final.

Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun clinched their third men’s doubles title in a row when the outplayed Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan 21-15, 21-16.

Xie Xingfang clinched the women’s singles when she beat compatriot Zhang Ning 21-11, 8-21, 23-21, while Zheng Bo-Gao Ling outplayed England’s Anthony Clark-Donna Kellogg 21-16, 21-17 for the mixed doubles crown.

Results — (All finals) Men’s singles: Lin Dan (Chn) bt Wong Choong Hann (Mas) 21-19, 21-9.

Doubles: Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun (Chn) bt Markis Kido-Handra Setiawan (Ina) 21-15, 21-16.

Women’s singles: Xie Xingfang (Chn) bt Zhang Ning (Chn) 21-11, 8-21, 23-21.

Doubles: Lilyana Natsir-Vita Marissa (Ina) bt Yang Wei-Zhaoting (Chn) 12-21, 21-15, 21-16.

Mixed doubles: Zheng Bo-Gao Ling (Chn) bt Anthony Clark-Donna Kellogg (Eng) 21-16, 21-17.

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