All England Open: Shi Yuqi Eyes Second Title
Shi Yuqi, the world No 1, edged a thrilling semifinal against Chinese compatriot Li Shifeng 21-9, 20-22, 21-19 to reach a fourth All England Open final on Saturday.
Semifinals Recap
Shi’s only previous All England success came back in 2018, but he is a big favourite to land a second title on Sunday against Taiwan’s Lee Chia-hao. Shi’s dominant opening game was nearly undone by Li, who recovered to threaten an upset. In the end, Shi’s patience paid off, and he won the match with a 21-9, 20-22, 21-19 victory.
Lee’s Fairytale Run Continues
Lee Chia-hao, the world No 22, continued his fairytale run with a 19-21, 21-14, 21-17 victory over in-form Frenchman Alex Lanier. Lee was surprised by his own performance, stating, "The victory hasn’t sunk in yet – I didn’t expect that I would do this well. I’m so surprised by the result myself."
Women’s Final Lineup
The world No 1 is also into the women’s final as South Korea’s An Se-young proved too strong for two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi. An, winner of the All England Open two years ago, cruised through 21-12, 21-17 to maintain her record of dropping just one game all week. She will face Wang Zhiyi after she won an all-Chinese semifinal over Han Yue 21-10, 21-19.
Conclusion
Shi Yuqi and An Se-young are set to face off in the finals of the All England Open, with both players seeking to claim their second titles. Shi will look to build on his dominant opening game, while Lee Chia-hao will hope to continue his fairytale run. The women’s final will see An Se-young face off against Wang Zhiyi in a battle of Chinese strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is in the All England Open men’s final?
A: Shi Yuqi and Lee Chia-hao will contest the final.
Q: Who is in the All England Open women’s final?
A: An Se-young and Wang Zhiyi will face off in the women’s final.
Q: How many games did Shi Yuqi win in his semifinal match?
A: Shi Yuqi won the match 21-9, 20-22, 21-19.