Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie hits a return against China’s Shi Yu Qi during their men’s singles semifinal match of the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2023 in Jakarta on Saturday, January 28, 2023. - AFP
JAKARTA, Jan 27, 2023 (AFP): Badminton world number three Jonatan Christie gave his best to the delight of the home crowd when he edged Shi Yu Qi of China in three sets to qualify for the Indonesia Masters men's singles final.
In an enthralling encounter, Jonathan had to bring out his best form to defeat the Chinese ace 21-13, 15-21, 21-19.
He also had an incredible outing in the semifinals when he fought back to beat India's Lakshya Sen on Friday night (Jan 26) and reach the
The Indonesian ace started slowly against 12th-ranked Sen before taking the quarter-final 15-21, 21-10, 21-13.
"I feel grateful because I could win this match against Sen. He is one of the most agile players, he had good shots," said Christie.
The 25-year-old will meet China's Shi Yuqi, a runner-up in the world championships in 2018, in Saturday's last four.
Shi is down to 27th in the rankings having only returned to action last year after serving a 10-month ban by the Chinese Badminton Association.
Shi defeated fellow Chinese player Lu Guangzu in their quarter-final on Friday.
In the women's quarter-finals, three-time world champion Carolina Marin beat Denmark's Line Christophersen 22-20, 21-9.
The Spanish star will face China's Han Yue next.
"Let's see if I can win, but of course, I will do my best. I will give a really good fight," said Marin.
South Korea's An Se-young, the women's world number two, also secured a place in the semi-finals after beating Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-15, 21-15. - AFP
