Gwangju City: Former World No. 1 men’s pair Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong saw their hopes of securing the first international badminton title in 14 months ended by compatriots Jung Jae Wook/Kim Gi Jung on Saturday.
The legendary men’s pair quickly went into the showdown at Yeomju Gymnasium in Gwangju having won the first set 21-16. But their opponents were in no mood to offer them safe passage into the final as they bounced back to beat Lee/Yoo 21-11, 21-19 to book a spot in the final. Jung/Kim will set up a final against teammates Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae on Sunday.
Malaysia’s unseeded Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean put up a great fight with some impressive play but Korea’s Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong proved too strong as they beat the Malaysian pair 14-21, 21-7, 21-12. Kim/Kong will play Korean pair Lee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan for the women’s doubles crown in the final.
Meanwhile, Jeon Hyeok Jin has set up an all-South Korea men’s singles final against Kim Min Ki.
The No. 4 seed Jeon completed his semi-final job in straight-sets, winning 21-16, 21-14 against Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab.
Kim Min Ki who defeated No. 1 seed Son Wan-Ho in the third round, continued his stellar form by outlasting fellow South Korean Lee Dong Keun 21-19, 21-15.
In women’s competition, No. 5 seed Lee Jang Mi ensured the hosts would have at least a representative in the final after beating No. 2 seed Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand 21-19, 21-19. Lee is slated to take on China’s Gao Fangjie. Gao made her name as one of the most promising young women’s singles shuttler from China 3 weeks ago when she defeated Rio Olympic silver medalist P.V. Sindhu, and Rio Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marin in the quarterfinal, and semi-final of China Open.
