Top-ranked An, holder Yamaguchi reach badminton worlds semifinals

Top-ranked South Korean player An Se-young and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi advanced to the semifinals of the badminton world championships after securing decisive victories on Friday. The matches took place at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, marking another step toward potential history for both athletes. An Se-young, currently ranked world number one, defeated China’s Han Yue, who holds the fifth position in the global rankings, with scores of 21-19 and 21-12. This victory sets up a crucial encounter against China’s world number three Wang Zhiyi, who triumphed over Denmark’s Line Christophersen 21-10 and 21-7 in the quarterfinals. Wang’s performance ensures her a chance at claiming a medal. Notably, there was no third-place play-off match, meaning both semifinal losers will be awarded bronze medals. Akane Yamaguchi, representing Japan, showcased her prowess by defeating Canadian player Michelle Li with scores of 21-17 and 21-10 in just 28 minutes. A three-time world champion, Yamaguchi claimed the title in Paris last year, reinforcing her status as a formidable contender. Her upcoming challenge will be against Pornpawee Chochuwong, whose path to the semifinals was eased by a walkover following the withdrawal of Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara due to a knee injury. In the men’s singles category, seventh-seeded Victor Lai of Canada endured a challenging match against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke. After a hard-fought battle lasting 54 minutes, Lai emerged victorious with scores of 21-19 and 21-18. Meanwhile, world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn faced a setback against French player Alex Lanier, falling 21-19, 16-21, and 16-21. Lanier, ranked tenth, demonstrated resilience by countering Kunlavut’s aggressive tactics, including powerful smashes and effective returns, thereby earning his first semifinal berth at the prestigious tournament. Japan’s 10th-seeded Kodai Naraoka delivered a stunning upset by defeating Denmark’s world number four Anders Antonsen 21-19 and 21-15. This victory propels Naraoka into the semifinals, adding to the excitement of the competition. In a separate match, Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen secured a second medal at the world championships after overcoming Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan 21-15 and 21-15 in the quarterfinals. Chou, who previously earned a bronze in 2022, became the second oldest player to achieve a world championship medal at the age of 36. Chou will compete against Naraoka in the semifinal, while Lai and Lanier will face each other in the other semifinal matchup. These pairings promise thrilling encounters as players vie for the ultimate prize. The tournament continues to unfold with high stakes and intense competition, setting the stage for more dramatic moments ahead.