Dane Rasmussen breaks Chinese monopoly

By Dave Thompson

BIRMINGHAM (Reuters) - Denmark's Tine Rasmussen claimed a second significant Chinese scalp of the week to win her first All England title on Sunday.

The world number nine edged past third seed Lu Lan 21-11 18-21 22-20 in an enthralling contest.

It was the first victory in the women's singles final at the All Englands by a non-Chinese player since 2002 when Rasmussen's famed compatriot Camilla Martin took the title.

Martin, in Denmark, was among the first to congratulate her. "She's just texted me to say welcome to the club," Rasmussen told a media conference.

Rasmussen, 28, had beaten world champion Zhu Lin in the second round and was not short of confidence for the final, played to a near capacity crowd at the National Indoor Arena.

She cruised through the first game and looked in control at 14-12 up in the second only for Lu to take six points in a row on the way to levelling the tie.

The decider was a nervy affair after Rasmussen lost a 10-3 lead to trail 15-13. The score crept to 16-16 then 20-18 to the Dane where gallant Lu saved the first of two match points.

But Rasmussen was not to be denied, adding the All England title to successes in the Super Series in Malaysia in January and Japan last September.