Chen Long of China returns the shuttlecock during the men's singles semifinal between Chen Long of China and Kento Momota of Japan at 2018 BWF French Open in Paris, France on Oct. 27, 2018. Chen Long won 2-0. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
PARIS, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Reigning Olympic gold medalist Chen Long established men's singles final appointment with his fellow Chinese Shi Yuqi at the 2018 BWF French Open here on Saturday.
Chen had lost his latest two encounters with world No. 1 Kento Momota of Japan in Asia Championships final and BWF Thomas Cup final this year.
However, different scenario was put up in their third duel of the year, as Chen led 11-7 at the changeover of the first game. Although Momota came back into contention at 15-16, Chen pulled away for a 21-18 victory through his constantly changing smashes.
Chen dominated in the second game before triumphing 21-8 for a final spot.
Chen thought that exhaustion was partly something to blame for Momota's loss.
"He came here after winning the Denmark Open title. It was his ninth match in two weeks, so he was a bit tired today," he said. "I won today because of my patience."
Second seed Shi Yuqi displayed his patience in long rallies against Rasmus Gemke of Denmark before triumphing the first game 21-11. Shi never ceded his leading position later on to wrap up the second game 21-16.
"Persistence played a key role in my victory. There were many rallies despite my lead, which posed challenges for my concentration," admitted Shi.
Prior to Saturday's clash, women's singles fourth seed Chen Yufei had lost 10 straight matches against top-ranked Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei.
Chen took the initiative at 21-18 with three points in a row in the first game, before Tai forced a decider 21-12.
Chen built her advantage early in the decider, but resilient Tai turned the tides in her way to lead 11-7 at the changeover and sealed the win 21-14.
"She has sped up since the second game, which caused much trouble for me," admitted Chen, adding that she has improved every time playing Tai.
Chen's teammate He Bingjiao suffered an agonizing loss of 20-22, 21-19, 21-19 to No. 2 seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.
Chinese young duo of Han Chengkai and Zhou Haodong clawed back from their first game loss to see off defending champions Lee Jhe-Huei and Lee Yang of Chinese Taipei 13-21, 21-18, 21-17.
Han and Zhou made into the final at BWF World Tour tournaments again after the China Open in September. They will take on top-ranked Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo from Indonesia, whom they had beaten in the China Open semifinals.
"We will make full preparation for tomorrow's final, and put up our challenge against whomever we will play," Zhou pointed out.
Mixed doubles top seeds Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong muscled past Japanese duo of Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino 21-11, 21-14. The world No. 1 set up a final encounter with South Korean pair of Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan, who eliminated Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 21-14, 21-9.
Women's doubles final on Sunday will be played between the reigning world champions Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara of Japan and Bulgarian sister duo of Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva.
