Ghangzhou: Four-time world champion Lin Dan of China suffered his third loss in this season as he was stopped by compatriot Chen Jin in the semi-finals at the China Masters here on Saturday.
Earlier, the only non-Chinese top four in men's singles Peter Hoeg Gade of Denmark was ousted by Chinese Chen Long. Therefore, Chinese shuttlers had secured the one-two in men's singles irrespective of the result of the Lin-Chen clash.
Lin, who blasted past Japan's Sho Sasaki 21-15, 21-6 on Friday, was obviously not in form as he squandered three game points in the first game before losing it 23-25. In the second game, Lin still didn't find back his rhythm, losing quickly 15-21.
Lin only had two losses before the match against Chen this year, one was the final at the All-England Open to World No 1 Lee Chong Wei, the other was the second round at the Indonesia Open to Sasaki.
"Yesterday's match was against a foreign player, but this match was within our team, it is different. The gold has already belonged to China," 28-year-old Lin was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Chen Jin said: "Lin's physical condition was not in the best, and after taking the gold at the World Championships, maybe Lin's desire to win is not so strong in this tournament."
Chen Jin will play Chen Long in Sunday's final.
Comments
0 comment