Singapore Open: Chen Yufei ends World No. 1 An Se-young's 27-match winning streak

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Chen Yufei of China beat World No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea in straight games to end the top-ranked women's badminton player's 27-match winning streak and reach the semifinals at the Singapore Open on Friday.

Chen, who came in with a 12-11 lead in head-to-head matches against An, jumped out to a 4-0 edge in the first game. The 27-year-old Chinese maintained her momentum and soon took the opener 21-13.

An improved in the second game and went in front 4-2 when Chen's forehand found the net. China's World No. 5 regained her rhythm with a series of quick attacks, however, with the barrage putting the top-seeded An under major pressure.

Chen continued to push for her first win over the South Korean since last summer's Indonesia Open, and a strong overhead smash extended her lead to 18-13. She went on to close the door 21-16 and advance to the women's singles semifinals, where she will face compatriot Han Yue.

"That was an exciting match, because An performed very well during the season, including in this competition," Chen said. "I made several mistakes, but I tried my best to make adjustments, and I am encouraged greatly after beating her."

In the mixed doubles competition, China's Guo Xinwa and Chen Huifang dominated their first game against Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu of Indonesia 21-8. After dropping the opener in just 10 minutes, the Indonesian pair battled back to level the second game at 22-22, before Guo and Chen wrapped it up 24-22.

The sweep sent the sixth-ranked Chinese duo into the semifinals against Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of China's Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region).