BWF China Open 2024: Ginting out as Vitidsarn and Christie reach semi-finals
Final four set in Changzhou, with action live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app.
Badminton
Reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn was made to work hard for his place in the semi-finals of badminton's BWF China Open 2024 on Friday (20 September), thanks to a resilient showing from Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
Ginting, who entered the China Open men's singles unseeded, commanded the first set with a 21-10 result, but his Thai opponent came from behind to level things up with an impressive second set, that finished 11-21.
A tense third would see the two go back and forth, with Ginting leading 17-12 heading into the final stretch. But the Olympic silver medallist held his nerve to come from a one-set deficit to take the final one 21-19.
Vitidsarn will play Japan's Kodai Naraoka for a spot in the final.
Elsewhere, Indonesian sensation Jonatan Christie cruised past Lei Lanxi to secure his spot in the last four.
Seventh-seeded Christie saw his competition off in two sets with a dominating display, winning 21-18, 21-12.
He will take on Weng Hongyang of People's Republic of China in a bid to reach the final.
The women's singles last four is also set, with Akane Yamaguchi facing fellow countrywoman Tomoko Miyazaki, while Wang Zhi Yi takes on Aya Ohori, with the semis taking place on Saturday, with action live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app.