Gwangju: Five-time world champion Lin Dan of China is one win away from qualifying for the 2019 BWF World Tour Finals that will take place in Guangzhou from 11 to 15 December 2019 and offered a total prize of USD $1,500,000.
The two-time Olympic champion fought for 38 minutes to battle past compatriot Zhao Jun Peng 21-12, 21-11 in the Korea Masters semi-final in 38 minutes.
This was Lin’s third final of the year, he lost to Singaporean Loh Kean Yew in the Thailand Masters final, but defeated Chen Long in the Malaysia Open final.
Lin earned at least 5,950 points after advancing to the Korea Masters final which increased his total BWF ranking point to 75,210. He was only 30 points below Taiwanese player Wang Tzu Wei from becoming BWF World Tour Finals eligible.
If Lin could win the final against Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama in the final, his would earn another 1050 ranking points, which would surpass Wang Tzu Wei to qualify for the BWF World Tour Finals.
Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong also face the similar situation as Lin Dan, where Goh/Tan would have to claim the Korea Masters title that provides 7000 ranking points to overtake another Malaysian pair, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik to qualify for the BWF World Tour Finals.
Goh/Tan had to dig deep on Saturday to see off local shuttlers Choi Solgyu/Seo Seung Jae 16-21, 21-15, 21-19 in 57 minutes to enter the final. The No. 7 seeds Malaysians will face No. 6 seeds Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin of Taiwan for the men’s doubles crown.
In mixed doubles competition, Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai continued their strong form to set up final encounter with Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong after Goh/Lai overcame Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-Huei/Hsu Ya Ching 21-17, 21-17.
Korea’s 17-year-old An Se Young will set up an all-Korean final with her senior, Sung Ji Hyun in the women’s singles final while Japan also guaranteed the women’s doubles gold when Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida and Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi have both made the final.
