China's World No. 1 Shi Yuqi had to endure three games to get past Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei and reach the semifinals at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Malaysia Open on Friday.

In a tightly contested opener, the score was tied at 10-0. But Shi was able to pull away by scoring six consecutive points. The world's top-ranked shuttler remained in the lead to take the first game 21-16.

Trailing 18-13 in the second, Chou dug deep to fight back and claimed the frame 21-19, in a solid display of determination. The crucial point was earned by the slightest of margins, with the shuttlecock barely trickling over the net.

A decider was needed and despite Chou slumping out to a 6-2 lead, the World No. 1 turned up the intensity and surged from behind to prevail 21-17 and 2-1 overall. The win was Shi's fourth in a row against Chou, and he will face compatriot Li Shifeng in the last four.

Li defeated another Chinese Taipei representative, Chi Yu-yen, who took the opener 21-14 in just 19 minutes. Li had won the pair's previous three encounters, and fought back in the second game to claim it 21-13, forcing a decider. In the winner-takes-all third game, China's World No. 7 closed things out 21-7 to set up the semifinal showdown with Shi.

In mixed doubles, China's top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping reached the semifinals after beating sixth-seeded Chinese Taipei duo Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang 21-19, 21-14. They will face Malaysia's Chen Tang Jie and Toe Ee Wei with a place in the championship contest at stake.