China secure two golds before finals at Hong Kong Badminton Open

HONG KONG - The Chinese team already put two golds in pocket before Sunday's finals at the Hong Kong Badminton Open after the semifinals here on Saturday.

No.3 seed Wang Yihan defeated Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand 17-21, 21-15 and 21-13 in women's singles semifinals and will play against teammate Wang Shixian in Sunday's final. Wang Shixian used 46 minutes to down Japanese Mitani Minatsu in two sets at 21-13 and 21-17.

"I still made lots of mistakes in the match but I felt great to reach the final," said Wang Shixian. "Wang Yihan is my teammate. But she is first my opponent tomorrow and I'll try my best to beat her."

China's another gold came in from women's double. Fifth-seeded Bao Yixin/Tang Jinhua defeated Japanese pair Matsutomo Misaki/Takahashi Ayaka to set a final against young teammates Ou Dongni/Tang Yuanting, who stunned No.2 seed Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark in two sets.

"We two have only paired for half a year," said Ou, who's only 20 years old. "Thanks to our coach's advices we reached the final. And playing against teammates in the final won't give us so much pressure."

Mixed doubles' defending champions Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei failed to make into the final as they were defeated by England's Chris Adcock/Gabrielle White at 21-12, 21-16.

"We are just too tired. We played too many matches this year," said Zhang.

Zhang and Zhao's loss left the mission for gold to another Chinese pair Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin, who defeated Lee Chun-Lei/Chau Hoi-Wah of Hong Kong, China in three sets to reach their career's first final.

World's No.1 Lee Chong-Wei will play against Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro in men's singles final. Leading 8-3 in the second game after winning the first 21-14, Kuncoro was rewarded a ticket to the final as opponent and teammate Tommy Sugiarto sprained his ankle.

Lee Chong-Wei defeated Thailand's Boonsak Ponsana at 21-12, 21-7.

The men's doubles gold went to South Korea as Kim Ki-Jung/Kim Sa-Rang will meet Lee Yong-Dae/Yoo Yeon-Seong in tomorrow's final.