Tianjin: Two time Olympic champion Lin Dan made two narrow escapes in two tense three-set thrillers on Wednesday to cruise into the China National Games men’s singles final.
Lin Dan or so-called “Super Dan” lost the first set to the Huang Yuxiang of Zhejiang team 20-22 in the first match early Wednesday, but improved as the game progressed, eventually securing a 21-13, 21-12 quarter-final victory in 71 minutes.
Lin got back to the court late Wednesday to play for the semi-finals. He drew the first blood in a tense and high-quality China National Games semi-final against Lu Guangzu of Jiangsu team. Lin was being proactive in the first set, mobilizing his shots in every corner of the court to take the first set 21-15.
Lu Guangzu who defeated Rio Olympic Chen Long on Tuesday, kicking off the second set with strong attacks and pulled the match level with a 21-12 win against Lin.
In the decider, Lin unleashed all of his power into the shots, giving Lu no chance of surviving Lin’s dominance on the court. Lin won the third-set 21-11. He will play his China national team teammate – Shi Yuqi in the final.
In women’s singles, former World No. 1 Wang Shixian survived a tougher than expected fight from He Bingjiao, battling past He to move into the final where she will play Chen Yufei for the women’s singles crown.
