World No. 1 Axelsen to face off Malaysia's Lee in Dubai World Superseries final

DUBAI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Denmark's Viktor Axelsen won on Saturday his semi-final of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Dubai World Superseries Finals 2017 against China's Shi Yuqi in two sets (21-12, 21-8), while Indian world number three Pusarla V. Sindhu defeated Chinese shuttler Chen Yufei within 38 minutes in the women's semifinals.

Axelsen, who is 1.94 meters tall, played his physical dominance to the maximum, leaving Shi who needed medical treatment on his left foot little room to defend his turf.

"It seemed Shi suffered a bit from an injury in his foot. Myself I got a bit pain in my back, but that is part of the game. I am happy to play the final again tomorrow, Dubai is an awesome place," said the 23-year-old Danish star.

Shi was not available for interviews after the semi-final in Dubai's Hamdan Sports Complex as he headed immediately to see the Chinese team's medics.

Shi looked increasingly overwhelmed by the fast and precise power play of his Danish opponent. Just two days ago, Shi beat Axelsen in the men's Group B in three sets.

Axelsen will next face Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), a four-time champion at the World Superseries Finals but who has never triumphed in Dubai. Lee won the last match of the day in the semi-finals against Son Wan Ho from South Korea in two sets.

In the women's action, Japan's Akane Yamaguchi will face off India's Sindhu.

"I'm happy to be the first Indian in the Women's Singles final here; I would like to become the first Indian to win the title as well!" said Sindhu.

Top seed Yamaguchi, who is just 1.56 meters tall, won in a nail-biting semifinal against Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, 17-21, 21-12, 21-19. The Japanese faced a tough test at 11-16 in the third game, but staged an impressive rearguard action to outlast the Thai and make her first Dubai final.

In the mixed doubles, Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China, will play the final against Chinese pair Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen, who won their semi against Tontowi Ahmad/Lilyana Natsir in two sets.

All finals will be played on Sunday. The last top BWF tournament of 2017 distributes one million dollar in prize money.