World number one An Se Young continued her dominant form at the India Open, defeating former world champion Ratchanok Intanon 21-11, 21-7 in Saturday’s women’s singles semifinal.
The South Korean, top seed and defending champion, has now won 11 titles this season, including last week’s Malaysia Open Super 1000. “Every match is a new feeling. I feel pressure but I try not to think about my feeling. I just try my best on the day and focus on my game,” An said.
An will face China’s world number two Wang Zhiyi, who edged compatriot and Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei 21-15, 23-21 in a thrilling semifinal. “I am looking forward to the final but I think tomorrow is Wang Zi, I will try my best,” An added.
In the men’s singles, third-seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia overcame an early deficit to beat Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew 21-18, 22-20 in 46 minutes.
Christie, who turned independent after the Sudirman Cup last year, described the match as a test of patience. “I'm very happy. Loh is a very good player. In the first set, he already was ahead maybe by 6-7 points. So I just wanted to give my best in this match,” he said.
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The Indonesian will face either Canada’s Viktor Lai or Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in the men’s singles final. Christie has now extended his unbeaten streak over Loh to 9-0.
In women’s doubles, Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto defeated second seeds Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan 21-16, 21-13. Thai third-seeded mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran stunned top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping 16-21, 21-19, 21-16.
Play was briefly halted during the women’s doubles semifinal between Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning and Korea’s Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee after “material from a bird’s nest” fell on the court. Officials inspected and cleaned the surface before the match resumed, with Liu/Tan eventually winning 21-12, 17-21, 21-14.
The tournament, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium ahead of the World Championships, has faced criticism over air quality, cold temperatures, hygiene, and stray animals.
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