Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia's veteran badminton player, captured the All-England Open on Sunday with a 21-12, 21-10 win over China's Shi Yuqi. 

The 10th ranked Shi Yuqi knocked out Lee’s friendly foe Lin Dan to reach the final, but ran into trouble against the top-ranked player.

It was Lee's fourth All-England title, equaling the achievement of Morten Frost, the Dane who is his coaching director in Kuala Lumpur. 

At 34, Lee is the oldest singles champion of the Open era. Lee disclosed afterwards that he almost didn't make it to Birmingham, unsure whether his heavily-strapped left knee would tolerate competitive stresses. 

"When I decided to come - which was a very close decision - I never at all thought that I would win the title," said Lee. 

"Yes, I am very surprised. I came because it might be my last, and I just wanted to come and enjoy it." After two matches he was feeling more confident about the injury, although he claimed it was "never a hundred percent." 

"I relaxed my mind," Lee said, admitting it was a by-product of no longer expecting to win. 

That is a mental skill he will try to carry to Glasgow in August for the world championships, a title which has narrowly eluded him to date. 

(With inputs from AFP)