Birmingham: The Saturday was a day of upsets at All England, as No. 1 seeds in men’s doubles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles were all knocked out of the tournament.
Indonesia’s World No. 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo fell to World No. 28 compatriots Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana 20-22, 21-13, 16-21. Fikri/Maulana who were playing faster net interception and stronger smashes on Saturday will meet World No. 2 Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan after “the Daddies” defeated World No. 19 He Ji Ting/Tan Qiang of China 21-16, 14-21, 21-13.
In women’s singles, Tai Tzu Ying was defeated by World No. 4 An Seyoung of Korea, losing 19-21, 13-21. An will face reigning world champion, Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the final.
Highlights of the Tai Tzu Ying vs. An Seyoung All England semi-final match:
The mixed doubles No. 1 seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand were also eliminated by the No. 4 seeds Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino of Japan. Watanabe/Higashino won the semi-final match 21-14, 21-15 and will play the Tokyo Olympics champions Wang Yi Lyu/Huang Dong Ping of China on Sunday. Wang/Huang saw off former World No. 1 Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong 21-7, 13-21, 21-13 in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Japan’s women’s doubles No. 7 seeds Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida will take on the unseeded pair – Zhang Shu Xian/Zheng Yu from China for the women’s doubles crown.
