SINGAPORE — Thai badminton star Ratchanok Intanon has booked her place in the final of the Singapore Open as she continues her pursuit of the top ranking in the world.
Third-seeded Ratchanok on Saturday defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-12, 22-20 in just 49 minutes, to set up a final clash on Sunday with Sun Yu of China. Sun advanced with a straight-sets win over compatriot He Bingjiao, 21-10, 21-16.
Yamaguchi on Friday had upset World No. 1 Carolina Marin of Spain, meaning that Ratchanok can claim the top spot if she lifts the Singapore Open trophy on Sunday.
World No. 2 Ratchanok entered the Singapore event on a roll, having claimed both the India and Malaysia Opens in the past two weeks.
The winner of the world title in 2013, the Thai star was drawn in the same half as Marin and the two were expected to clash in the semi-finals before the Spaniard's surprising ouster.
Ratchanok has a 4-1 lifetime record against her final opponent, who is ranked 14th in the world. Her victories include their two most recent meetings this year, at the Yonex All England Open in March and the Thailand Masters in February.
The upsets continued in the men's draw, meanwhile, as two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan suffered a stunning semi-final defeat at the hands of Indonesian qualifier Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
The 32-year-old Lin, who has never won the tournament, trailed early against the composed 2004 Olympic bronze medallist Kuncoro, who raced to an 11-4 lead before taking the first set 21-10.
The Chinese superstar salvaged the second set to win 21-17, but the 31-year-old Indonesian kept his cool to seal a nailbiting 22-20 victory in the final set.
On Friday world number one Chen Long of China crashed out in the men's quarter-finals to 21-year-old Angus Ng of Hong Kong.
Kuncoro, ranked 56th in the world, said he began to believe he could win after his quick-fire start.
"My game was pretty hesitant in the second set so in the third set I just put in my all and was aggressive. I did not want to follow Lin Dan's style of play," added the Indonesian.
Kuncoro, who won the Singapore Open in 2010, will face Korea's Son Wan-Ho in the finals after Son beat giant-killer Ng.