China's defending Olympic champion Zhang Ning won gold in the badminton women's singles Saturday, pulling off a stunning upset over world number one and compatriot Xie Xingfang.
Zhang, the veteran of the Chinese team at the age of 33, won a gripping match over hot gold medal favourite Xie 21-12, 10-21, 21-18 in front of a packed chanting crowd and watched by millions throughout China.
The victory leaves China with two golds at this tournament after taking the women's doubles title on Friday, and keeps alive their ambitions of clinching all five at this tournament.
The loss was heartbreaking for 27-year-old Xie, competing at her first Olympics after being left out of the China team in Athens four years ago.
Supporters had been hoping for a golden double from Xie and her boyfriend, fellow world number one Lin Dan, who fights for gold against Malaysia's second seed Lee Chong Wei on Sunday in the men's singles final.
Zhang, playing at her last Olympics, silenced critics who questioned her inclusion in the team at the expense of world champion Zhu Lin after she slipped to seven in the world rankings through injury and lack of form.
Zhang, a former world champion, took the first game at a canter with a mix of craft and aggression, but Xie came charging back in the second with precision shots as errors started to creep into the veteran's game.
In the decider, Zhang took a 3-0 lead and kept edging ahead, showing steely determination with her shots, that formed part of numerous lengthy rallies, and pumping her fist in the air with every winning point.
But Xie refused to throw in the towel, grinding down her team-mate to level at 15-15. The exhausted pair matched point for point before Zhang pulled ahead 20-17. Xie saved one match point but not the second.
Xie has told Chinese media she is considering retirement, wanting a life with Lin other than endless hours of training and competition.
Underdog Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia took bronze after she defeated China's third seed Lun Lan.
