Defending champion Shi Yuqi storms into All England Open semis

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Shi Yuqi ended the giant-killing run of Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama as the Chinese defending champion moved into the All England Open semi-finals on Friday.

Tsuneyama had shocked 2018 All England finalist and six-time champion Lin Dan earlier in this week's tournament.

But Shi ensured he wouldn't become the latest big name to crash out as he prevailed 21-14, 21-7 in the quarter-final clash.

Yet to drop a set, Shi said video analysis was a key factor in his impressive 37-minute win.

"I feel like my style of play is very different to Lin Dan's, so I think this match I managed to use my way of playing, I think that's the reason I did well today," he said.

China's Shi Yuqi in action during the men's singles semifinals at the All England Open in Birmingham, March 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

"He (Tsuneyama) started to lose patience by the end of the first set. After the second, he was losing points quite quickly," Shi said.

"I watched videos where he played against other Japanese players and he was doing lots of quick attacks, lots of powerful smashes and he tries to get you to lose your patience," he continued. "So I used counter-attacking tactics and I think that worked quite well for me today."

Viktor Axelsen, who beat Jan O. Jorgensen 23-21, 21-18 in an all-Danish affair, will set up a Saturday showdown against Shi.

Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong, China, is also through to the semi-finals after beating Tommy Sugiarto 22-24, 21-17, 21-16 on the other side of the draw.

Next up for Ng will be top seed Kento Momota, who ousted seventh seed Srikanth Kidambi of India 21-12, 21-16.

In the women's singles, top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei, bidding for a third successive title, also booked a place in the last four with a 21-15, 21-19 victory over eighth seed Saina Nehwal of India.

Third seed Chen Yufei from China entered the last four after beating South Korea's Sung Ji Hyun 21-12, 21-16.

The other two players from China both crashed out in the hands of Japanese opponents, with sixth seed He Bingjiao beaten by fourth seed Akane Yamaguchi 21-16, 19-21, 21-12 and Li Xuerui losing to second seed Nozomi Okuhara 21-17, 21-14.

Chen will face Okuhara and Tai meet Yamaguchi in the semifinals on Saturday.

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency