Guangdong veteran Liu takes bronze medal at National Games

Guangdong veteran Liu Jian took women's singles bronze medal of badminton tournament at the 11th Chinese National Games here on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Liu, who was on her third and last National Games trip, beat Li Wen from Hubei in the first set 21-10. But Li pulled one point back in the second at 22-20. In the decider, Liu won comfortably at 21-13 to secure a bronze medal.

Liu said after the match that a bronze was far beyond her expectation. "I have not expected to go so far."

She overcame the 2007 world champion Zhu Lin from Shanghai in the second round, took down Wang Xin from People's Liberation Army in the quarterfinals but lost to Wang Lin, world No. 1 from Zhejiang, in the semifinals.

Her previous best in women's singles at the National Games was the last 16 four years ago.

Liu did a better job in team event as she helped Guangdong win a silver medal earlier on Tuesday.

She was the champion of 2009 Thailand Grand Prix Gold in July and entered the semis of 2004 French Open and 2005 China Masters.

Liu might call it quits after the National Games. "But I have not decided what to do in the future." said she.

Source: Xinhua