Malaysia Open 2019: Lin Dan bests compatriot Shi Yuqi to enter final; Tai Tzu-ying, Akane Yamaguchi set up mouthwatering clash
It is the second final that the Chinese shuttler Lin Dan has reached this year but the two-time Olympic gold medallist conceded it was tough to battle past Shi Yuqi

-
Chinese superstar Lin Dan put on a sensational display of badminton to power into the Malaysia Open final, beating compatriot Shi Yuqi, 21-19, 16-21, 21-12 on Saturday
-
A couple of unforced errors paved the way for Shi to level with a 16-21 win in the second game, but Lin came to life in the decider and clinched the match
-
Tai was impressive in her 21-14, 21-19 win over China’s Chen Yufei, while Yamaguchi was equally impressive in her victory over compatriot Nozomi Okuhara, winning 21-15, 22-20
Kuala Lumpur: Chinese superstar Lin Dan put on a sensational display of badminton to power into the Malaysia Open final, beating compatriot Shi Yuqi, 21-19, 16-21, 21-12 on Saturday.

Lin Dan of China celebrates winning the men's singles semi-final match against Shi Yuqi of China at the Malaysia Open badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur. AFP
His victory, which took 65 minutes, sets up a final against another Chinese player, Chen Long.
Five-time world champion Lin allowed Shi to dictate the pace at the start of the opening game before seizing back the initiative, and winning 21-19.
A couple of unforced errors paved the way for Shi to level with a 16-21 win in the second game, but Lin came to life in the decider and clinched the match.
It is the second final that Lin has reached this year but the two-time Olympic gold medallist conceded it was tough to battle past Shi.
"Nowadays the competition within the Chinese men’s singles team is as strong as against others. But I am used to the pressure, and the most important thing is to be consistent," Lin said
Lin will play Chen in a repeat of the 2015 final, which was won by Chen. Chen was equally impressive in his 64-minute victory over Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, pulling out some powerful forehand smashes to win 12-21, 21-10, 21-15.
The women’s singles saw Taiwanese Tai Tzu-ying set up a final clash against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi.
Tai was impressive in her 21-14, 21-19 win over China’s Chen Yufei, while Yamaguchi was equally impressive in her victory over compatriot Nozomi Okuhara, winning 21-15, 22-20.
Results (x denotes seeding)
Men’s singles
Lin Dan (CHN) bt Shi Yuqi (CHNx2) 21-19, 16-21, 21-12
Chen Long (CHNx4) bt Jonatan Christie (INA) 12-21, 21-10, 21-15
Women’s Singles
Tai Tzu-ying (TPEx1) bt Chen Yufei (CHNX3) 21-14, 21-19
Akane Yamaguchi (JPNx4) bt Nozomi Okuhara (JPNx2) 21-15, 22-20
Men’s Doubles
Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda (JPNx3) bt Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INAx8) 21-13, 22-20
Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen (CHNx2) bt Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (JPN) 13-21, 21-19, 21-15
Women’s Doubles
Du Yue-Li Yinhui (CHN) bt Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai (THAx8) 21-12, 21-14
Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan (CHNx5) bt Chang Ye-na-Jung Kyung-eun (KOR) 21-14, 21-18
Mixed Doubles
Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong (CHNx1) bt Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai(THAx4) 21-14, 21-9
Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping (CHNx2) bt Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (MAS) 21-13, 21-17
also read

Kidambi Srikanth on Thomas Cup victory: 'Nothing short of a once in a lifetime experience'
India beat 14-time Thomas Cup champions Indonesia 3-0 to win the men's team badminton event for the first time. Kidambi Srikanth beat Jonatan Christie in the men's singles.

Jwala Gutta on Thomas Cup triumph: 'Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty just happened. We have no system for doubles'
Former doubles specialist Jwala Gutta has urged Indian badminton to take the event forward in the aftermath of the Thomas Cup triumph.

Watch: India's winning moments after historic Thomas Cup win
Indian men's badminton team defeated Malaysia 3-2 to reach their first Thomas Cup semi-final in 43 years.