Ain’t no Son-shine
Top seed stunned by Lin Dan in semi-finals
GLASGOW: Lin Dan stayed on course for a record sixth men’s singles title at the World Badminton Championships with a stunning semi-final victory over top seed Son Wan-ho.
Lin Dan, who last won the title in 2013, defeated Wan-ho 21-17, 21-14 on Saturday to reach his seventh world final. In the gold-medal decider the Chinese star will face Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen.
Lin Dan, 33, may have reached the latter stages of his career, but he outsmarted the 29-year-old world No. 1 from South Korea.
A run of five points in a row from 16-15 down helped seal the first game and he pressed home his advantage midway through the second.
“Everyone is talking about my age, but I have proved I can still play at a high level,” he said.
“Men’s singles is very tough these days, it is a very hard route to the final.
“I always feel nervous before big matches, but I’m very happy that I have had great support here.
“I watched Viktor’s semi-final and he’s playing very well. Tomorrow is the last match and I will be giving 1,000%.”
In his semi-final, Axelsen gained revenge over Chinese defending champion Chen Long.
The last Danish winner was Peter Rasmussen 20 years ago, with his title also coming in Glasgow.
The only other Dane to win the title was Flemming Delfs at the inaugural 1977 championships.
Axelsen, the third seed, wasted little time in dispatching the Olympic champion.
The score was 21-9, 21-10 and the match lasted a mere 39 minutes.
Chen Long had won the title in 2014 and 2015 and added the Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro last year.
“I’m stunned. I never expected to win so comfortably and I’m so very happy,” Axelsen said.
“I made very few mistakes today. It was almost error free.
“It was nice to get revenge from the Olympic semi-finals. I am very proud of myself.”
Chen Long was disappointed, but gave credit to his opponent.
“Viktor played very well. Yesterday, I was the last men’s singles on court, and today I was the first,” he said.
“I need to get better at playing at a consistent level whenever I play. Now I will go home and prepare for the national championships.” – AFP