Chong Wei demolishes Shi Yuqi to book spot in Japan Open final
Saturday, 23 Sep 20171:19 PM MYT
- AFP pic
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Chong Wei has defeated China’s Shi Yuqi to enter the Japan Open men's singles final.
Chong Wei played spectacularly to blow away Shi Yuqi 21-19, 21-8 in the 39-minute semi-final match in Tokyo.
It had earlier looked like disaster when Chong Wei trailed 4-11 in the first game. But the Malaysian clawed back into contention and levelled the score at 18-18 before pulling away for a superb win.
A pumped up Chong Wei did not stop there. He stepped on the gas in the second game and broke the resolve of the 21-year-old Shi Yuqi to rightfully earn a place in the final and a chance to claim his seventh Japan Open title.
Chong Wei, 34, who lost in the first round of the World Championships in Glasgow last month, will take on reigning world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in Sunday's final.
Axelsen defeated Son Wan-ho of South Korea 21-16, 21-16 in the second semi-final.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/badminton/2017/09/23/chong-wei-demolishes-shi-yuqi-to-book-spot-in-japan-open-final/#uDjxU6JujsRAQKMA.99
