Defending Olympic champion Zhang Ning of China on Saturday won the women's singles badminton gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, beating compatriot Xie Xingfang in three sets, dpa reported.
The 2005 and 2006 world champion Xie managed to pull a set back after losing the first 21-12, but then lost the final set 21-18, giving Zhang a 21-12, 10-21 and 21-18 victory.
Maria Krisin Yulianti of Indonesia prevented a Chinese clean sweep in the event, coming from a set down to defeat number three seed Lu Lan in 63 minutes.
Lu took the first set 21-11 but the 23-year-old Yulianti levelled matters by taking the second 21-13 before clinching bronze with a 21- 15 victory on her first match point in the third set.