Lin Dan storms into Malaysia Open final

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 yesterday.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 saidLin 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 singlesLin Dan (CHN) bt Shi Yuqi (CHNx2) 21-19, 16-21, 21-12Chen Long (CHNx4) bt Jonatan Christie (INA) 12-21, 21-10, 21-15Women’s SinglesTai Tzu-ying (TPEx1) bt Chen Yufei (CHNX3) 21-14, 21-19Akane Yamaguchi (JPNx4) bt Nozomi Okuhara (JPNx2) 21-15, 22-20Men’s DoublesTakeshi 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, 21-15Women’s DoublesDu Yue-Li Yinhui (CHN) bt Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai (THAx8) 21-12, 21-14Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan (CHNx5) bt Chang Ye-na-Jung Kyung-eun (KOR) 21-14, 21-18Mixed DoublesZheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong (CHNx1) bt Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai(THAx4) 21-14, 21-9Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping (CHNx2) bt Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (MAS) 21-13, 21-17