Shi Yuqi of China celebrates during men's singles semi-final match against Naraoka Kodai of Japan at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
SYDNEY, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Shi Yuqi and Lu Guangzu will vie for the men's singles title after both notched up semifinal victories at the badminton Australian Open on Saturday.
Shi claimed a hard-fought 21-16, 16-21, 21-19 triumph over Japan's Kodai Naraoka.
"Every point had to be fought, and there's too much back-and-forth in the match. It's a tough game. I just tried to find any scoring chances during those long rallies," Shi told Xinhua.
Earlier in the day, Lu emerged as the first finalist in the men's singles after clinching a 21-18, 21-15 victory over Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong.
In the men's doubles, a three-set thriller was staged between China's Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi and Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei.
Losing 21-12 in the opening set, Liu and Ou clawed back to claim the remaining two sets 23-21, 24-22 to advance into the final.
"Our opponents played a solid game, but we kept seeking the opportunity and held our nerves for the win," said Liu.
Elsewhere, China's Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu made the women's doubles final after pulling off a 21-15, 21-17 win over Lee Chia Hsin and Teng Chun Hsun of Chinese Taipei.
China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping failed to reach the mixed doubles final following a 22-20, 21-14 loss to South Korea's Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung.
China's female shuttler Han Yue also suffered an exit from the tournament, being ousted by Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 18-21, 21-16, 21-14 in the women's singles semis. ■
Shi Yuqi of China hits a return during men's singles semi-final match against Naraoka Kodai of Japan at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Shi Yuqi (L) of China greets Naraoka Kodai of Japan after their men's singles semi-final match at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Naraoka Kodai of Japan hits a return during men's singles semi-final match against Shi Yuqi of China at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Shi Yuqi of China hits a return during men's singles semi-final match against Naraoka Kodai of Japan at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia hits a return during men's singles semi-final match against Lu Guangzu of China at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Lu Guangzu of China hits a return during men's singles semi-final match against Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Lu Guangzu of China hits a return during men's singles semi-final match against Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Lu Guangzu of China reacts during men's singles semi-final match against Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Lu Guangzu of China reacts during men's singles semi-final match against Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia at BWF Australian Open 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
