Seventh seed Lin Dan survived a scare from Japan’s Riichi Takeshita, winning their Chinese Taipei Open semi-final 21-15, 14-21, 21-18 in 65 minutes at Taipei on Saturday.
The Chinese player, who is looking to climb the BWF world rankings by winning the Chinese Taipei Open title, was pushed to the limit before prevailing.
Takeshita started strongly in the first set, and Lin Dan trailed 11-3 before the Japanese player faltered. Takeshita then fought back to within 11-8. Lin Dan regained control, however, and eased to a 21-15 first-set win.
Takeshita opened the second set with heavy attacks to build a 7-0 lead. He held his nerve, gave Lin Dan no chance to draw level, and took the set 21-14.
Lin Dan Survives a Fierce Decider
In the deciding set, Takeshita showed guile and fighting spirit, refusing to wilt under the weight of Lin Dan’s powerful smashing. The unseeded Japanese player tied the score four times. The Olympic champion then roared back to fend off Takeshita 21-18.
Lin Dan will face compatriot Wang Zhengming next. Wang knocked out Hong Kong’s Wei Nan in the other men’s singles semi-final, winning 21-18, 21-16.
Other Finals Lineup
- 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)