ODENSE, Denmark, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Men's and women's world No. 1 Shi Yuqi and An Se-young advanced to their respective singles finals at the BWF Denmark Open here on Saturday.
In the men's singles semifinal, reigning world champion Shi of China faced two-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen. Shi narrowly won the first game 21-19, lost the second 17-21, but regained his rhythm in the decider to win 21-17.
Axelsen, 31, recently returned to form after enduring a challenging six months to recover from a back surgery in April and miss the World Championships in August. His semifinal appearance on home soil marks a promising comeback for the Danish star.
"I think this tournament is important for my career. It shows me that I actually can get back to my best. This gives me the belief that I can play with the best players again - something I didn't dare to believe after my surgery," said Axelsen.
Shi will face Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in Sunday's final, after Christie edged France's Alex Lanier 2-1.
In a highly anticipated women's singles semifinal, top seed An of South Korea overcame three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 16-21, 21-10, 21-9, avenging her recent loss to Yamaguchi at the Korea Open. Their head-to-head record now tied at 15-15. An will meet China's Wang Zhiyi, who defeated compatriot Han Yue in the other semifinal.
In men's doubles, Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri beat China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 2-0. Japan's Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi outlasted India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 2-1.
Both the women's doubles and mixed doubles finals will feature all-Asian matchups. South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee will take on compatriots Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong for the women's doubles title, while China's top two pairs - Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, and Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping - will battle for the mixed doubles crown. ■
