<figure id="attachment_2938787" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2938787" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2938787" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/17d7a3c9-china-shi-yuqi-badminton-15122024.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2938787" class="wp-caption-text">Shi Yuqi defeated two-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen 21-19, 17-21, 21-17 in the semifinals. (AFP pic)</figcaption></figure>
ODENSE: The men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s world No 1 Shi Yuqi and An Se-young advanced to their respective singles finals at the BWF Denmark Open here yesterday, Xinhua reported.
In the men&#8217;s singles semifinal, reigning world champion Shi of China faced two-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen. Shi narrowly won the first game 21-19, lost the second 17-21, but regained his rhythm in the decider to win 21-17.
Axelsen, 31, recently returned to form after enduring a challenging six months to recover from a back surgery in April and missed the World Championships in August. His semifinal appearance on home soil marks a promising comeback for the Danish star.
&#8220;I think this tournament is important for my career. It shows me that I actually can get back to my best. This gives me the belief that I can play with the best players again. I didn&#8217;t dare to believe I could do it after my surgery,&#8221; said Axelsen.
Shi will face Indonesia&#8217;s Jonatan Christie in Sunday&#8217;s final. Christie edged France&#8217;s Alex Lanier in another three-game semifinal.
In a highly anticipated women&#8217;s singles semifinal, top seed An of South Korea overcame three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 16-21, 21-10, 21-9, avenging her recent loss to Yamaguchi at the Korea Open. Their head-to-head record is now tied at 15-15.
An will meet China&#8217;s Wang Zhiyi, who defeated compatriot Han Yue in the other semifinal.
In men&#8217;s doubles, Indonesia&#8217;s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri beat China&#8217;s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in straight games. They will meet Japan&#8217;s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, who outlasted India&#8217;s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in a match that went to three games.

MatchPoint Times

China’s Shi, Korea’s An advance to Denmark Open finals

The men’s and women’s world No 1 ranked players, Shi Yuqi and An Se-young both took three games to defeat tough opponents in the semis.

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