Seventeen-year-old Wang Lin and twenty-year-old Chen Jin, both from China, shined in Chengdu Sunday at the 2006 Avivo-Cofco China Masters Badminton Championships while the Denish men's double won a Thomas Cup "rehearsal" to clinch the title.

Nameless Wang Lin's "dark horse" story led to a happy ending when she lifted the "master" cup of women's singles with her third consecutive turnovers, toppling world champion Xie Xingfang in the final from lagging one set behind after upsetting world number one Zhang Ning and number three Wang Chen both from behind.

"I am pleased to win," said Wang, receiving her first international title, "but I still have much to improve."

World number two Xie Xingfang, China, powered to a 21-15 win at the first set, but was leveled by 21-13 because of too many errors.

Wang, called into the national team in 2004, made several unforced errors on the net, trailing 9-11 in the third set, before she came back and caught the first match point out of five when Xie was forced another error, winning 21-15.

Double world junior champion Chen Jin avoided a repeat of his All England lose to Peter Gade from Denmark, ranked third, taking the title of men's single by a 21-19, 21-14 win.

"We met once before in which I lost," said Chen, 15th ranked, "so I prepared well this time."

Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen crowned in men's double by overwhelming China's top duo Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng 21-17, 21-17 in a possible Thomas Cup final clash.

According to the draw, China and Denmark may meet in the final of the Thomas Cup in May in Japan. As the top men's double of each team, Eriksen/Hansen and Cai/Fu would play the first double match.

The other two finals put up between the Chinese. Rising Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen edged out double Olympic champion Zhang Jun/Gao Ling 21-16, 10-21, 22-20 while former world champion Gao Ling/Huang Sui beat Wei Yili/Zhang Yawen.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2006)