After claiming Thomas Cup glory, Cai and Fu now want an Olympic crown

After helping the country claim its fifth Thomas Cup in a row, China's top men's doubles combination has set its sights on delivering the nation its first Olympic gold medal in the event in London.

Despite boasting a world No 1 ranking and tremendous title success since 2008, Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng are yet to savor Olympic glory and squandered their chance four years ago when they fell to the Indonesian duo of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan in the Beijing Olympic final.

After beating the South Koreans, who upset them in the semis of the Sudirman Cup (the world mixed team championship) last year, the Cai-Fu pairing has rediscovered its top form in time for what could be an Olympic swansong.

"We have used the Thomas Cup as a tune-up leading to London. The title here will definitely boost our confidenct for the Games," Cai said after routing the Korean pair of Lee Yong-dae and Kim Sa-rang 21-16, 25-23 in the first doubles match on Sunday.

China's Olympic and world champion Lin "Super" Dan thrashed archrival Lee Hyun-il, 21-14, 21-17, in the final's opening singles battle, while world No 3 Chen Long breezed past Korean Shon Wan-ho, 21-9, 21-13 in the third match to seal China's fifth Thomas Cup in a row.

Under great pressure to make a breakthrough in the doubles at the Olympics, Cai said mental strength was the key to winning on the courts in London.

"Olympics is a test of your psychology. The skills are pretty even on that stage and whoever can beat the pressure will win the title," said 32-year-old Cai.

Fu, 28, supported his partner, claiming "we will be trying to challenge our opponents we won't be fighting with the target on our backs".

The Koreans also feel confident heading towards London after losing to China with a below full-strength squad. That nation won doubles gold at the 1992 and 2004 Olympic Games.

Due to an injury to his long-time partner, Jung Jae-sung, Lee teamed with the young Kim for the Thomas Cup.

When he reunites with his former teammate, the world No 2 combination of Lee and Jung will be among the favorites for Olympic gold.

"It was a good test for the new pair - facing the Chinese duo," Korea's head coach, Sung Han-kook, said. "According to our current status, the new pair is capable of competing against China for the doubles title in London. But Jung will come back to play with Lee, and they will be more competitive."

Sunday night also saw new benchmarks set by the Chinese badminton squad.

The men's team tied Indonesia's five straight Thomas Cup titles.

"It's a hard thing to accomplish at a biennial event. It means you have to stay in top form consistently for 10 years. Indonesia used to be our model, now we are even and we will try to surpass it," said China's head coach, Li Yongbo.

Cai Yun (L) and Fu Haifeng compete in the Thomas Cup quarter-finals in Wuhan, May 23, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

With another Thomas Cup title, Lin has accumulated 16 crowns at world-class events the Olympics, Worlds and Sudirman and Thomas cups, to become the only male in history to reach that mark.

Lin's feat has prompted comparisons with other Chinese sporting icons, including Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang and Grand Slam winner Li Na.

However, coach Li shrugged off the hype, saying, "Lin is the greatest ever in badminton and has no need to be mentioned together with Liu and Li".

The coach also denied Lin, Cai and Fu would retire after the Olympics.

"I've never heard of that from their mouths. I will try to retain them after London and ask for better post-career arrangements for them," said Li. "But I will also respect their choice if they make that decision."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn