Top seed Chou advances to Singapore Open final

AFP  |  Singapore 

Taiwanese shuttler powered into the finals of after a thrilling 21-12, 18-21, 21-16 win over China's today.

The top seed dominated the first game of the men's singles semifinal match, wrapping it up in just 12 minutes.

While a spirited Qiao fought back to claim the second game, Chou's swift reflexes saw him out-rally his unseeded opponent in the to secure a spot in the finals on Sunday.

He will face compatriot Hsu Jen-hao, who beat Vietnam's Nguyen 21-15, 21-11.

"I'm very excited to be in the finals, my hard work had paid off. I have to focus on my shots if I want to win," said the world number 7 after the match at the

Chou is gunning for his second title of the year after winning the German Open in March.

In the women's singles, China's Fangjie exacted revenge on second seed Nitchaon Jindapol with a 21-15, 12-21, 21-14 win to advance to the finals.

Seventh seed had lost to her Thai opponent at their last encounter in the Cup semifinals in May.

"Cup was a painful lesson. After that defeat, I learned how to better maintain my composure in big tournaments, which helped me to win today," said after the match.

She will take on Japan's Sayaka Takahashi, who toppled China's Han Yue 21-18, 21-14.

In the women's doubles, Japanese duo and ousted top seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai of 21-17, 21-19. The Japanese pair will be up against compatriots and Chiharu Shida, who beat Germans and 21-18, 17-21, 21-16.

In the men's doubles, the Indonesian duo of and will face China's Ou Xuanyi and Ren Xiangyu in the finals after a convincing 21-16, 21-13 victory over compatriots Angga Pratama and Rian

Olympic mixed doubles champions Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir continued their dominant form, edging out fellow Indonesians and 26-24, 21-17.

They will meet Malaysia's Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai in the finals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, July 21 2018. 19:50 IST