CHINA MASTERS 2010 QF – Another Wang…

Wang Zhengming is the surprise guest of the Li-Ning China Masters 2010 semi-final line-up as the young Chinese shuttler beat Korea’s Lee Hyun Il to make it a clean sweep in the men’s singles event for China. He will meet Lin Dan while Bao Chunlai and Chen Long will replay last year’s Asian Championships final. In the ladies’ singles, Tine Baun will have the difficult task of attempting to prevent an all-Chinese final on Sunday.

By Raphael Sachetat. Photos (live) : Yves Lacroix, Badmintonphoto

It was expected to be a long-awaited rematch between Lee Hyun Il and Lin Dan, who had made the headlines  in 2008 in the Korea Open final, when Lin Dan lost his temper. It wasn’t meant to be. Chinese youngster Wang Zhengming prevented this heated semi-final from happening and will take Lee’s spot to face Lin Dan in the semi-final. The Chinese beat the Korean 21-18 , 21-17 while Lin saved three game points against Hong Kong’s Hu Yun to finally win 22-20, 21-17.

Tine Baun had a much easier path than expected with former Chinese Pi Hongyan not up to the mark, bowing 8-21, 17-21 to her long-time friend. Baun is now to face her usual set of “Wangs” starting with Wang Yihan in the semi-final, before meeting either Wang Xin or Wang Shixian in the final, should she manage to beat the top seed.

The bad news of the day however was brought off court when it became known that Wang Lin’s Tuesday injury had been diagnosed as a ruptured ligament in her thigh and that the 21-year-old will need surgery (see related article here).

The match of the day in the men’s doubles will feature Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng against Korea’s Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung for what has become a classic. Korea will have one more chance in the other semi-final with Ko/Yoo still involved in the draw.  It was the second year in a row that Yoo blocked the path of young hopefuls Qiu/Liu at home.

All results HERE