World number one Lin Dan has progressed to the finals of the Li-Ning Singapore Open 2011 men’s singles event after a hard fought victory over Peter Gade of Denmark 20-22, 21-17, 21-15.
In a match that promised so much, it did not disappoint as Gade and Lin locked horns to earn a place in the final. Starting strong, Lin Dan surged into a 11-7 lead and there was little to suggest that Peter Gade could do to stop the Chinese from claiming the first set. The momentum stayed with the world number one as he raced into a 20-15 lead and was a point away from clinching the set. In an amazing turn of events, Peter Gade dug deep and won seven points in a row to complete his comeback and clinch the first set 22-20.
The second set proved to be even more exciting than the first as both shuttlers demonstrated their class and elegance. The matched each other point after point as the crowd was kept on the edge of their seats. Lin Dan finally seized the advantage after well placed smashes and unforced errors from the Dane as he managed a 20-16 lead. All thoughts on the previous set were immediately vanquished as the world number one Lin seized the second set 21-17.
In the final set, it was more a battle of sheer will now as both players tested each other’s defense and attempted to find a weakness they could exploit. It was Peter Gade who raced into an early 5-1 lead but the world number one once again showed his class and fought back to lead 10-7. As Peter Gade visibly tired, Lin Dan seized his opportunity and closed out the match 21-15.
Lin Dan faces compatriot Chen Jin in the finals which takes place tomorrow.
