Editing Chen Long (section)

=== 2011: Three Superseries titles ===
In the first tournament of the new season, Chen Long was convincingly beaten by world number 1 [[Lee Chong Wei]] in the semi-final of the [[2011 Malaysia Super Series|Malaysia Open]]. It took just 39 minutes for the Malaysian to blow away the upcoming Chinese star with a score of 21–9, 21–9.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia Open 2011 Finals – Lucky Number 7 for Lee Chong Wei|url=http://www.badzine.net/2011/01/malaysia-open-finals-lucky-number-7-for-lee-chong-wei/|website=badzine.net|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> The effects of the demoralising defeat were still evident a week later when Chen lost in the second round of the [[2011 Korea Open Super Series Premier|Korea Open]] to Japanese player [[Kenichi Tago]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Korea Open 2011 R16 – Overdue Payback for Young Japanese|url=https://www.badzine.net/2011/01/korea-open-r16-overdue-payback-for-young-japanese/|website=badzine.net|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> His first individual title of the year came at the [[2011 Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold|Thailand Open]], where he beat experienced Korean player [[Lee Hyun-il]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thailand Open 2011 Finals – Lee, Lee, Li… but Not Lee!|url=https://www.badzine.net/2011/06/thailand-open-finals-lee-lee-li-but-not-lee/|website=badzine.net|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>

In August, Chen was eliminated in the first round of the [[2011 BWF World Championships|World Championships]] by unheralded Guatemalan player [[Kevin Cordón]] in what was one of the shock results of the tournament. Cordón emerged the victor after clinching the third set 27–25 in a thrilling encounter.<ref>{{cite web |title=World No 5 Chen suffers early exit at badminton worlds|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2011-08/09/content_13076813.htm|website=chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> Chen sprang back from his shock exit from the World Championships by winning his first [[2011 China Masters Super Series|China Masters]] title after defeating his compatriot [[Chen Jin (badminton)|Chen Jin]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=China Masters 2011 Finals – Jung & Lee Destroy China's Clean Sweep|url=https://www.badzine.net/2011/09/china-masters-finals-jung-lee-destroy-chinas-clean-sweep/|website=badzine.net|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> A week later, he won his first [[2011 Japan Super Series|Japan Open]] by avenging his Malaysia Open loss to world number 1 [[Lee Chong Wei]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chen stuns Lee to take Japan Open crown|url=http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2011-09/26/content_23491303.htm|website=china.org.cn|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> In October, Chen won his third consecutive Super Series tournament with another victory over [[Lee Chong Wei]], this time in the final of the [[2011 Denmark Super Series Premier|Denmark Open]] in its first year as a Premier Super Series event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denmark Open 2011 Finals – Chen Long Blows Past Chong Wei|url=https://www.badzine.net/2011/10/denmark-open-finals-chen-long-blows-past-chong-wei/|website=badzine.net|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>

His highlights of the season were followed by an exit from the semi-finals of [[2011 Hong Kong Super Series|Hong Kong Open]] to his senior, [[Chen Jin (badminton)|Chen Jin]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Hong Kong Open 2011 Sf – Danes, Koreans Ready for China|url=https://www.badzine.net/2011/11/hong-kong-open-sf-danes-koreans-ready-for-china/|website=badzine.net|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> and failure to defend his [[2011 China Open Super Series Premier|China Open]] title after losing to his compatriot, [[Lin Dan]], in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lin Dan overpowers teammate to win China Open|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2011-11/28/content_14174591.htm|website=chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> He ended year 2011 with another runner-up in [[2011 BWF Super Series Masters Finals|Super Series Master Finals]], being beaten by [[Lin Dan]] again.<ref>{{cite web |title=China's Lin wins 1st 'Super Grand Slam'|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20111218-316935.html|website=asiaone.com|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>