Lin Dan, the seventh seed, survived a scare from Japan’s Riichi Takeshita to win their Chinese Taipei Open semi-final in three tight sets at Taipei on Saturday. The Chinese star won 21-15, 14-21, 21-18 in 65 minutes.
Lin Dan is looking to climb the BWF world rankings by winning the Chinese Taipei Open title, and he faced a stiff test from the unseeded Japanese player.
Takeshita Pushes Lin Dan in First Set
Takeshita started strongly in the opening game. After trailing 11-3, he fought back to close the gap to 11-8. Lin Dan regained control, however, and quickly took the first set 21-15.
Japanese Player Takes Second Set
Takeshita attacked heavily from the start of the second game and built a 7-0 lead. He kept his composure, denied Lin Dan any chance to draw level, and claimed the set 21-14.
Lin Dan Holds Off Takeshita in Decider
In the deciding set, Takeshita matched Lin Dan’s powerful smashing with determination and tactical skill. He tied the score four times. The Olympic champion then surged ahead to close out the match 21-18.
Lin Dan Faces Wang Zhengming in Final
Lin Dan will face compatriot Wang Zhengming in the final. Wang knocked out Wei Nan of Hong Kong in the other men’s singles semi-final, winning 21-18, 21-16.
Remaining Finals Line-Up
- Mixed doubles: Alfian Eko Prasetya and Annisa Saufika (Indonesia) vs Liu Yuchen and Yu Xiaohan (China)
- Women’s singles: Sung Ji Hyun (Korea) vs Liu Xin (China)
- Women’s doubles: Wang Xiaoli and Wang Yu Yang (China) vs Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii (Indonesia)
- Men’s singles: Lin Dan (China) vs Wang Zhengming (China)
- Men’s doubles: Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen (China) vs Andrei Adistia and Hendra Aprida Gunawan (Indonesia)