As it happened - 2021 All England Open, Day 4: Lee Zii Jia to face Axelsen, Chochuwong stuns Sindhu 

Hello and welcome to the Olympic Channel's live blog coverage of the semi-final stage of the 2021 All England Open Badminton Championships!

You can re-live all of Friday's action here.

Super Saturday was semi-finals day, and what a day: Malaysian sensation Lee Zii Jia knocked on the World No.1 yesterday and today he doubled down, defeating Mark Caljouw in the semi-final to make his first ever major tournament final.

Lee will face Denmark's Viktor Axelsen on Sunday after Axelsen emerged victorious from a three-game thriller against fellow Dane Anders Antonsen.

Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong stunned Indian superstar PV Sindhu and Japan's Okuhara Nozomi overcame Thailand's other national hero Ratchanok Intanon to set up another exciting final.

And today was Japan's day as they set up three all-Japanese finals tomorrow in the men's, women's and mixed doubles.

Scroll down for results, highlights and how it all happened.

Video coverage of the All England Open on Olympic Channel is available subject to geo-restrictions.

All updates below in local time (GMT). Latest updates first; please refresh the page for updates.

LIVE!

8pm: Sunday's finals

That was the final match of a super Saturday of semi-finals, here's what we have to look forward to tomorrow:

Men's doubles: Kamura/Sonoda (JAP) vs. Endo/Watanabe (JAP)

Women's doubles: Fukushima/Hirota (JAP) vs. Matsumoto/Nagahara (JAP)

Women's singles: Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) vs. Okuhara Nozomi (JAP)

Men's singles: Lee Zii Jia (MAL) vs. Viktor Axelsen (DEN)

Mixed doubles: Kaneko/Matsutomo (JAP) vs. Watanabe/Higashino (JAP)

7:52pm - Victor Axelsen wins Danish thriller

Axelsen wins the derby 16-21, 21-7, 21-17 to reach his third consecutive final in this tournament.

It was a cliffhanger made in Denmark and Anders Antonsen pushed him all the way, but Axelsen had enough in the tank.

It was a fascinating match between two players who know each other so well, two fierce rivals fencing for points, but it's Axelsen who will face the Malaysian sensation Lee Zii Jia tomorrow.

7:49pm - Axelsen v Antonsen goes down to the wire

Antonsen stays alive, just, it's 19-17 to Axelsen, two points from victory.

A great exchange at the net gives Axelsen three match points.

7:45pm - Axelsen 13-13 Antonsen

Axelsen is coming up with the goods, it's now 15-13.

Another smash, 16-13.

10 of the last 12 points are Axelsen's who's growing and attacking, Antonsen too passive now.

After an exchange of gifts at the service line it's 17-15.

7:38pm - Antonsen leads 11-6 at the break in Game 3

A five-point margin gives Antonsen the advantage, his plan is working: keep it at the net, avoid big back-court shoot-outs, his net play and discipline are winning it here.

11-8 to Antonsen now who smiles wrly after Axelsen returns a near-impossible shot from practically between his legs.

Superb badminton.

7:32pm - Tense

A 68-shot rally drops Antonsen's way and it's 5-5, Antonsen has some water, a bit of banana, breathes heavily, then deeply, and on we go.

A challenge each and they're both wrong, it's 7-6 to Antonsen.

The rallies are getting longer, another one hits 42 shots and right when Axelsen has his rival at his mercy he makes the wrong choice.

Another error costs Axelsen, Antonsen leads 10-6.

7:26pm - Let's get loud

The volume has been dialled up along with the intensity, points much more contested and there's a lot of post-point shouting, fist pumping and bicep popping going on.

Antonsen is trying to keep it low away from Axelsen's lethal smash, but that's not always possible.

It's 4-4 and Axelsen breaks a string. Taut.

7:20pm - Axelsen 1-1 Antonsen

We're heading to a decider as Axelsen seals Game 2 21-7.

Antonsen gave that one up and now we're going to see who can go the distance.

Who'll take the last place in the final against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia?

It all comes down to the crucial Game 3.

7:15pm - Axelsen surges into lead in Game 2

7-2 to the defending champ, Game 3 on the cards?

Antonsen might give up on Game 2 and put it all into the decider, his Danish teammate is leading 11-2 at the break.

7:10pm - Game 1 to Antonsen

No.3 seed Antonsen owns Game 1 21-16.

Apart from the tactical battle we also have some mind games in play, Antonsen takes a long time squeaking his shoes around the court and taking his time, and it seems to work too as Axelsen puts his serve way wide on game point.

7:05pm - Antonsen into lead, Axelsen smashes back

Neither player can open up any significant lead, Antonsen goes two up after a gossamer touch at the net 16-14, then Axelsen powers back with a trademark slam, 16-15.

Finally Antonsen does pull away after another Axelsen error from the serve and suddenly he has five game points.

20-15 to Antonsen, Axelsen saves one, 20-16,

7pm - Axelsen ahead by finest of margins

Defending champion Axelsen leads 11-10 at the interval with 12 minutes played.

6:50pm - Axelsen and Antonsen keep it close

Two Danes, one final place, and Viktor Axelsen got off tp the better start taking the first three points.

But Antonsen has evened it up and we're locked at 4-4.

Axelsen has changed up his serve to try and catch Antonsen off guard, he's playing much more at the net, there's fascinating tactical duel going on.

Antonsen leads 8-7.

Axelsen has won 41 of his last 42 matches and has claimed 3/4 titles he's played in 2021 adding the Swiss Open earlier this month to back-to-back titles in Thailand.

But his only loss came to Antonsen at the BWF World Tour Finals.

6:40pm - Watanabe/Higashino set up third all-Japanese final

An incredible showing from Japan's shuttlers here in Birmingham on semi-finals day means that we now have three all-Japan finals tomorrow.

That bodes well for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics hosts just a few short months out from the Games this summer 2021.

Here are all the finals so far tomorrow:

Women's doubles: Fukushima/Hirota (JAP) vs. Matsumoto/Nagahara (JAP)

Men's doubles: Endo/Watanabe (JAP vs. Kamura/Sonoda (JAP)

Mixed doubles: Kaneko/Matsutomo (JAP) vs. Watanabe/Higashino (JAP)

Women's singles: Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) vs. Okuhara Nozomi (THA)

6:39pm - Lee Zii Jia interview

6:35pm - Watanabe/Higashino book place in final

The Japanese mixed doubles pair booked passage to their third All-England final winning 21-10, 21-18.

It's a third final in four years for Watanabe/Higashino, the superior pair on the day.

Smith saved one match point but the game finished on one of the best rallies of the encounter, the second game was much better for the home hopefuls, but this Japanese pairing had too much firepower.

6:31pm - Watanabe/Higashino closing in

It's been a smash exhibition from Watanabe here, finding angles and lines time after time.

18-17 to the Japanese double act, now a net chord makes it 19-17... Matchpoint!

6:24pm - Watanabe/Higashino into the lead again

It's 11-7 at the interval in Game 2, the Japanese are a game up and four points to the good in the second.

Smith brings a 4-point Japanese run to an end at the net, and then plays another lovely defensive winner to bring it to 12-9.

But immediately Watanabe makes another one of those gorgeous fade-away smashes.

Ellis/Smith staying in it though, it's 14-12 to the Asian pair.

6:13pm - Game 2 underway

A chance for Ellis and Smith to press reset, and they've started much better than the first set.

It's 2-2, now 3-3.

Watanabe has been brilliant, such quick feet and working through his catalogue of shots, a backwards-leaning smash then an unplayable drop shot.

But Ellis/Smith stay in it, the scoreboard says 5-5.

6:09pm - Watanabe/Higashino win first game

Watanabe/Higashino win Game 1 21-10 in 14 minutes, a service error on game point pretty much summed it up for England's duo.

The Japanese have been locked in from the start and the English pair have struggled to make inroads.

6pm - Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith carry home hopes

The last local players left in the tournament are the Ellis/Smith couple, but it hasn't started well, Japan's Watanabe Yuta and Higashino Arisa lead 12-2.

A really long rally ends up in a fine point for Ellis/Smith but they're having to work so hard for it, Watanabe and Higashino are serving well and look comfortable.

It's 17-4 to the Japanese pair.

5:42 - Lee Zii Jia rips into his first All-England final!

Lee Zii Jia wins the semi-final defeating Mark Caljouw 21-13, 21-17 to make his first major badminton final in only his second appearance at this tournament.

Lee lets out a huge roar and he'll have the eyes of an entire country on him tomorrow. The young gun alternated between some sublime and nervy moments, but was by far the better player on the court.

At times he's a little over-reliant on his smash and a bit rough around the edges in certain aspects, but his talent is unquestionable and the excitement is rising at home in Malaysia.

So which Dane will he play, Axelsen or Antonsen?

Stay with us to find out.

5:38pm - Lee put under pressure by Caljouw

Now the Malaysian riser shows his defensive powers, dropping one right on Caljouw's line, it's 14-11 to Lee.

But Caljouw stays in it and suddenly a couple of smashes puts him into the lead, 15-14.

It's 15-15, then 16-15 to Lee who needs to calm the nerves.

5:30pm - Game 2 stays tight

Caljouw has started this one much better, and it's 7 points each right now.

Lee's smash is wonderful to watch, great accuracy to make it 8-7.

The Dutchman turns away in frustration as puts a routine return into the net, but recovers with a powerful return from an inviting flick-serve.

Level again, 10-10, and one more point puts Lee into the lead again at 11-10 at the interval.

This is a really good test for the young Lee, who's so close to his first major final.

5:22pm - Lee Zii Jia takes opening game

Lee seizes Game 1, winning 21-13 after just 19 minutes.

You can understand the hype.

Caljouw actually did well to adjust to the blistering pace set by Malaysia's rising star and work his way back into it, avoiding a total blowout.

Both of these men would reach their first ever Super 1000 final, and it looks much to be the Malaysian halfway through.

5:16pm - Lee puts on a show

The calmest underhand return you'll ever see, then a precise smash placed in the corner, and a focus and intensity beyond his years...

Lee looks like the real deal here.

He's 19-12 up and looks set to win this first game.

5:11pm - Lee Zii Jia on fire

While the Malaysian press have been hyping the 22-year-old Lee and making comparisons to Lee Chong Wei, he's been calling for calm and for people to give him time.

But he's not exactly putting out the flames here playing the way he is, a supreme smash into Caljouw's back court makes it 13-5 and his attacking play is very exciting to watch.

Now he puts one into the net and it's 14-7.

5:08pm - Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia on court 1

While Chan/Goh bow out, Malaysian interests are very much alive with the Lee Zii Jia in action, yesterday he caused a sensation by knocking out World No.1 Kento Momota.

And he's started well here too, surging into an 11-3 lead over Netherlands' Marc Caljouw at the interval.

4:48pm - What a comeback from Kaneko/Matsumoto!

Kaneko/Matsumoto complete a remarkable comeback, winning the match 21-14, 22-20.

Matsumoto was clinical on two occasions to make it 20-20, then a great defensive shot deep into the forehand corner from Chan wasn't finished, he hammered it into the net and it's match point!

The Japanese duo come from 12 points down to win by two and they're into tomorrow's final!

4:41pm - Kaneko/Matsumoto make a game of it

The Malaysian pair allowed the Japanese back in winning 9 of 10 points to go from 16-4 to 17-14, now 17-15 as Kaneko breaks a string but still wins the point.

Goh steadies the ship with an important winner right down the middle, 18-15.

Matsumoto cuts the distance again, slapping down a loose shot, then a 48-shot longest rally goes the Malaysian national heroes' way.

Then Chan serves into the net!

19-18 to Chan/Goh... And level! 19-19.

4:35pm - Goh/Chan turn tables

The Olympic silver medallists have sparked into life here and lead 12-3, looks like we're headed to a third and deciding game.

4:20pm - Kaneko/Matsumoto win Game 1

Kaneko/Matsumoto win Game 1 21-14 in 16 minutes.

Both have been on it, finding spaces, taking their chances and defending well.

Kaneko showed some defensive mastery after a flurry of frustrated smashes by Chan, just controlling a return into the corner, then Matsumoto landing another carefully positioned drop-shot.

Goh and Chan are Olympic silver medallists from Rio but Kaneko/Matsumoto look like they've been putting the hours in during lockdown.

4:11pm - Mixed doubles on court

Now we're heading over to the mixed doubles semi-final between Japan's Kaneko/Matsumoto and Malaysia's Chan/Goh.

The Japanese pairing have begun better here, they're 10-3 up and looking good.

The Malaysians started slow yesterday too, so keep an eye on this one.

Nice smash from Kaneko who forces his point and the Japanese pair are maintaining the distance at 14-6.

4:10pm - Three finals decided

So after six semi-finals the finals are shaping up for tomorrow, both the men's and the women's doubles are guaranteed to be Japanese winners.

Women's doubles: Fukushima/Hirota (JAP) vs. Matsumoto/Nagahara (JAP)

Men's doubles: Endo/Watanabe (JAP vs. Kamura/Sonoda (JAP)

Women's singles: Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) vs. Okuhara Nozomi (THA)

4:05pm - Kamura/Sonoda v Astrup/Rasmussen HIGHLIGHTS

4pm - Kamura/Sonoda win men's doubles semi-final!

The Japanese doubles win 21-18, 21-14.

Sonoda drops two serves right under the net and there's nothing the Danish two can do. Astrup/Rasmussen put up a commendable fight but couldn't stop a superior pair in Kamura/Sonoda.

It'll be an all-Japanese men's doubles final tomorrow for the first time ever at an All-England Open.

3:50pm - Kamura/Sonoda lead at interval

Just a single point in it, the Japanese duo lead 11-10 and a supreme smash from Sonoda makes it 12-10.

Sonoda gets a favourable call as the shuttlecock brushes his arm on the way out but they still get the point to make it 14-10.

But Astrup/Rasmussen keep their hopes alive with two sharp points to make it 15-13.

3:45pm - Second game stays tight

Every point being fiercely fought over in the second game, more mesmerising badminton, it's 7-6 to the Danes right now.

3:35pm - Kamura/Sonoda win Game 1

21-18 and it's Game 1 to Kamura/Sonoda.

The Japanese pairing win ten of 12 points and lay claim to game one, the final point was a brutal a barrage of smashes.

In the driving seat now.

3:30pm - Danish double act ahead

Denmark's Astrup/Rasmussen open up a five-point lead at 16-11 but the Japanese duo are hitting back.

Kamura/Sonoda are really attacking the Danish serve and in a flash it's 16-16.

3:15pm - Men's doubles semi-finals

Next up is Japan's Kamura/Sonoda vs. Astrup/Rasmussen from Denmark in our sixth semi-final of the day.

The Japanese pair are the third seeds while the Danish are unseeded, but it's started fast and frantic and evenly-matched.

It's 6-6, 7-7, 8-8 as both teams get a feel for each other.

3:02pm - Okuhara seals stunning comeback

Okuhara Nozomi defeats Ratchanok Intanon 16-21, 21-16, 21-19.

That was simply stunning.

She was a game down and up against it in the second, then five points down in the final game, but Okuhara just does not give up.

So many spectacular winners from Intanon who was out to force death by a thousand cuts, but Okuhara just stuck to her game and outlasted the Thai shuttler.

Tomorrow's women's singles final will be:

Okuhara Nozomi (JAP) vs. Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA)

3pm - Okuhara draws level again!

It's 18-18!

Okuhara goes into refuse to lose mode and wins five points in a row. She gets through and amazing amount of work, and Intanon can hardly believe it.

Matchpoint for Okuhara... Saved!

2:55pm - Intanon leads on home stretch

These two really bring out the best in each other, Intanon's precise finishing and Okuhara's perpetual motion make for a real spectacle.

It's the Thai hero who's leading though, she opens up a five-point advantage but four-in-a-row from Okuhara keeps her in the game.

14-12 to Intanon.

But an Intanon attack dribbles over the net and ends Okuhara's run, it's 16-13 and it really is anyone's game.

2:43pm - Intanon leads the way

8-4 to Thailand's hopeful in Game 3, she misses on a big smash from an Okuhara serve to make it 8-5, but two well-taken attacks give Intanon a 10-5 lead now.

Another precise winner gives her an 11-6 lead at the interval.

2:35pm - Okuhara wins game 2, we're going to a third

The Japanese player gifts us a third game by winning the second 21-16.

She held on against an onslaught of big winners and incredible cuts, this third game will be a real shoot-out.

Can Intanon make it an all-Thai final? Will Okuhara outlast her?

Let's find out.

2:31pm - Intanon forces issue

Really going for it here the Thai star, refusing to give up on the game, but Okuhara is maintaining that lead, sticking to her guns.

it's 19-15, and 20-15, five game points for the Japanese hitter.

2:30pm - Okuhara edging towards 3rd game

Okuhara 15-10 up and forgive this live blogger for wanting her to win this one so that we can see a third game. Breathtaking stuff.

Intanon really going for it, hammering a serve return right on the line, then getting the call on a challenge.

Okuhara leads 17-12.

And another challenge goes Intanon's way. 17-13.

2:25pm - Intanon rallies but Okuhara leads at interval

It's 11-7 to Okuhara at the interval in Game 2 after a flurry of sumptuous winners from her Thai opponent.

Okuhara doesn't have this game in the bag yet.

2:16pm - The Okuhara comeback

True to form, the mental monster that is Okuhara comes out swinging in Game 2, she leads 4-1, 5-1, 6-1, 7-1.

A delicious cut from Okuhara gives Intanon a little taste of her own medicine.

The Japanese shuttler in full flow here.

2:10pm - Intanon secures Game 1

The Thai No.1 wins Game 1 21-16.

Amazing athleticism from both shuttlers but it's Intanon who goes up a gear and finds the lines on a succession of winners.

Don't write Okuhara off though.

2pm - Okuhara works it back to even

The thing about Okuhara is that she simply never gives up, not on a match, not on a game, and not even on a point.

Forcing her Thai opponent into playing that extra shot yields dividends and suddenly it's 8-8, 9-9, 10-10.

Intanon nails another impossible angle to lead 11-10 at the interval.

There's a lovely blend of styles on the court, they almost complement each other, with Intanon looking for those spectacular winners from obtuse angles and the tireless Okuhara forcing the longer rallies.

A match worthy of world champions.

1:54pm - Intanon starts bright

Strong start from the Thai shuttler who's into a 4-1 lead in the blink of an eye.

Her trademark slice comes out and it's 5-2.

But that is superb from Okuhara, who puts on a defensive masterclass and finishes sweetly, Intanon cuts again and leads 7-4.

1:52pm - Chochuwong and Sindhu react

1:48pm - Intanon v Okuhara second women's semi-final

Now we turn our attention to the second women's semi-final.

It's the Rio 2016 bronze medallist and 2017 world champion Okuhara Nozomi versus 2013 world champ Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand.

This has the potential to be a real cracker.

Keep refreshing!

1:40pm - Matsumoto/Nagahara are through!

The stronger team in the key moments, Matsumoto/Nagahara finish the job winning 21-19, 21-17 and we have our first confirmed final.

The second seeds and 2019 finalists will face the World No.1 pair tomorrow in the women's doubles final:

Matsumoto/Nagahara vs. Fukushima/Hirota.

But Matsuyama/Shida can hold their heads high, they worked and fought and forced their Japanese teammates to be at their very best.

That was world-class doubles badminton.

1:29pm - Matsumoto/Nagahara looking likely

A game to the good and in the lead at the interval right now it's Matsumoto/Nagahara looking the likelier to join their countrywomen in the final.

13-10 up right now, the 2nd seeds are making good on their ranking.

Great play from Nagahara who forces the space then smacks it down the middle, and Shida can't coax her drop-shot over the net.

15-12 to Matsumoto/Nagahara.

1:25pm - Here's who's waiting in the final

1:20pm - Matsumoto dominates

The taller and more dominant of her pair, Matsumoto has really upped the tempo here, snapping at serves and powering back returns.

But after a 72-shot rally, somehow Shida manages to get up after one return while practically on the ground and hits another, more impossible defending that gets a just reward.

Shida looks like she's enjoying this and there are smiles all round despite the fierce pace of the match.

It's 5-5 before Matsumoto jumps down the throat of another serve, 6-5.

1:13pm - Matsumoto/Nagahara claim Game 1

They needed just one game point to put it away, 21-19 in just 21 minutes.

1:10pm - Semi final on a knife edge

Matsuyama/Shida stay alive in this first game after a huge smash and rapid reflexes from Shida give them 3 straight points, it's 15-15.

Now a captivating 69 shot rally goes Matsumoto/Nagahara's way, that was brilliant.

But Matsumoto/Nagahara are being held, Shida finds an amazing angle, 17-17. And again! This time a lovely drop shot.

It's 18-18

1pm - Matsumoto/Nagahara lead at interval

Very little to choose between these two teams, but it's Matsumoto/Nagahara showing that little bit more right now.

They are ranked 3rd to their opponents 12th and are slowing asserting themselves, leading at the interval 11-6, they're now 14-10 up.

12:50pm - Second women's doubles semi-final underway

Meanwhile, we're back at the women's doubles.

With World No.1 duo Fukushima Yuki and Hirota Sayaka already into the final we're guaranteed an all-Japanese affair tomorrow with both pairs in this semi-final hailing from Japan.

Matsuyama Nami/Shida Chiharu v. Matsumoto Mayu/Nagahara Wakana has started like two teams who know each other really well.

Close and tight all the way, Matsuyama/Shida currently with the edge but Matsumoto/Nagahara bring it level, currently at 7-7.

12:38pm - Pornpawee Chochuwong defeats PV Sindhu!

21-17, 21-9, in 43 minutes and it's all over! The Thai shuttler is into the final, that was a memorable badminton display from Chochuwong who defused PV Sindhu's power game and bettered her in almost every aspect.

Sindhu simply never got going, maybe that marathon semi-final against Yamaguchi just took too much out of her.

Thailand's 23-year-old rising star showed a new self-belief and she'll go into tomorrow's final riding a wave of momentum.

12:33 - A Sindhu comeback?

There's an angry smash from Sindhu, but Chochuwong has the perfect reply, much as she's had all game, finding the corner with a precise finish.

And another roar from Thailand's No.2 as she makes it 17-7, Pusarla finding the net after a tasty rally.

But it's slipping away, 18-8 to Chochuwong.

12:30pm - Chochuwong 11-4 Sindhu

Sindhu looking troubled by the aggressive approach from the Thai, a successful challenge gives Sindhu some reprieve but it's 8-3 to Chochuwong, who has another shout after yet another spectacular winner.

And it's 10-3 to the Thai.

One point for Sindhu but her opponent hits straight back and it's 11-4 to Chochuwong at the break.

A lot of work for Sindhu to do.

12:25pm - Sindhu struggles

Game two starts well for the Indian shuttler as she wins the first point but four straight winners from Chochuwong put her on the back foot again.

Sindhu shoots a frustrated glance to her coach.

12:20pm - Chochuwong takes Game 1

She gave herself four game points at 20-16 and just needed two, 21-17 and the first game goes to Chochuwong.

Superb badminton from the Thai, her agility around the court is matched by her shot variety and tenacious defence, Sindhu will have to match her intensity in the second game.

12:15pm - Chochuwong on the attack

Point and counterpoint, you can't take your eyes off this.

Huge roar from Chochuwong who turns attacker, refusing to be bullied by her bigger, stronger, older opponent.

But Sindhu stays in it, it's 17-15 to the Thai.

Now 17-16 and it's Sindhu's turn to roar after a punishing winner.

12:10pm - Sindhu battles back

Momentum swings back towards the Indian, Chochuwong just missing the line, then hitting the net, then a fine finish from Sindhu, that's four points in a row.

14-11 to Chochuwong.

Come on! Shouts Sindhu as she makes it 15-12, pumping her fist.

And another challenge from the Thai is unsuccessful, Sindhu is clawing it back. 15-13.

12:06pm - Chochuwong starts strong

Another fine defensive display gives the Thai the first point after the interval and she doubles Sindhu's score, 12-6.

Wow, another surgical cross-court cut puts Chochuwong 14-7 up.

Sindhu has a real battle on her hands here.

12:04pm - Chochuwong finds range

Now it's the Thai No.2 in the ascendancy, she drops another backcourt shot right on the line and leads 9-5.

Sindhu trying to pressure and get to the net but Chochuwong finds a way past.

10-6 to the player from Thailand, now 11-6 and we're at the interval.

Remember, Sindhu did play an hour and 16 min epic yesterday.

Can she reclaim the lead here?

11:55am - Sindhu takes early lead

Sindhu has the best of the opening jousts, opening up and showing some of that power early on.

Looks like she's about to take a 4-1 lead until a successful challenge from Chochuwong makes it 3-2.

Staying close here, 3-3, then 4-4, Chochuwong finds the line on a long shot, then nails a glorious cut.

Now it's Sindhu's turn to challenge, but no good.

6-4 to the Thai shuttler.

11:51am - Pornpawee Chochuwong vs. PV Sindhu warming up

The first women's singles semi-final is up next, Sindhu has the historic advantage winning four of their five previous encounters.

They're are warming up, get comfortable!

11:50am - HIGHLIGHTS

11:40am - Endo/Watanabe through to the final!

And that's it, the Japanese have too much for the Danes, they close it out 21-13, 21-11, in 36 minutes.

Leading 18-8, the Danes refused to give in and saved two match points but there was an air of inevitability as Endo/Watanabe saw it home.

11:36am - Endo/Watanabe 11-6

The Japanese picking up where they left off in Game 1, they're so quick around the court, working in perfect tandem.

They lead 11-6 at the interval in Game 2.

Now it's Bay who needs to change his racket, and does it mid-point before returning a shot successfully.. But Endo plays another perfect one into the body and the point is his.

13-6.

11:25am - First game to Endo/Watanabe

Watanabe gets the break off the net on game point and they take the first game 21-13.

Halfway there.

11:15am - The Endo/Watanabe defence

Not to be outdone, the men come up with a 61-shot rally that the Danes win, but the Japanese defence is so quick, Watanabe finds space on the court so well with a defensive jab and Endo slams it down.

11-6 at the interval to Endo/Watanabe after eight minutes.

Little but of confusion between Bay/Mølhede who get in each other's way, this just their 4th tournament together, and a Danish revival is reversed by more superb defence from the Japanese.

Mølhede breaks another string, it's clearly audible and the Japanese but it back to him to win the rally, three straight points put Endo/Watanabe 16-10 to the good.

11:13am - 124 shot rally!

Here's that marathon point from the women's doubles semi-final earlier.

Beautiful badminton.

11:10am - Endo/Watanabe v. Bay/Mølhede up now

The first of two Japan vs. Denmark men's doubles semi-finals have just begun.

Endo Hiroyuki/Watanabe Yuta v. Jeppe Bay/Lasse Mølhede vying for a final berth, and it's the Japanese straight into the lead.

Mølhede breaks a string almost immediately, the Danes are opting for power but the Japanese lead 3-1, 5-2, now 6-4.

Short, sharp exchanges in these opening minutes.

It's fast.

10:58am - Fukushima/Hirota make the final!

And that's it, the Japanese World No.1 women's doubles pair Fukushima Yuki and Hirota Sayaka are through to tomorrow's final, defeating Netherlands' Selena Piek and Cheryl Seinen 21-17, 21-7 in 48 minutes.

The Dutch led 10-5 at one point in the first set, but the Japanese turned it on and upped the rhythm, with Hirota particularly tuned in today.

They'll be tough to beat on this form.

10:55am - Piek/Seinen try to stay in it

The Netherlands pairing are trying to stay in it, bringing it back to 11-7, but the Japanese are really on it today, such fluid players.

Seinen puts it out, Piek finds the net and another wayward shot from Seinen makes it 16-17 to the Japanese.

10:45am - Game 2: Fukushima/Hirota take control

The second game has started with the Japanese pair in unforgiving form, they went into an 8 point lead but the Dutch pair have battled back.

It's 9-4 right now, make that 10-4.

After such effort and concentration losing the first set looked to have deflated the Dutch at the beginning of this game but they've tried to fight back.

We go into the interval at 11-5 to the favourites.

10:35am - Fukushima/Hirota take Game 1

The Japanese duo claim the first game 21-17 after a top-quality first set, it was neck-and-neck all the way to the final few points when Hirota punished a short return and Fukushima finished it off.

10:24am - Fukushima/Hirota 16-16 Piek/Seinen

It's a tight opener on the main court, the Dutch pairing are taking it to the world leaders, a tense tactical affair with long rallies and plenty of shot variety on show.

15-15, 16-16, 17-17, this is on a knife edge already.

A service error from Piek gave the Japanese pair a slight advantage and Seinen smashes into the net after a huge 124-shot rally.

19-17 to the defensive masters now.

10am - Women's doubles: Fukushima/Hirota v. Piek/Seinen

World No.1 pairing Fukushima Yuki and Hirota Sayaka are on court first against Netherlands' European Games champs Selena Piek and Cheryl Seinen.

Fukushima and Hirota had to dig deep against Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith yesterday, eventually winning 14-21 21-12 21-14.

Check out our preview of the day's action below.

9:45am - Good morning!

Time to warm up the keyboard here with no less than 10 (Ten!) semi-finals coming your way from the All England Open in Birmingham today.

And what a line-up it is.

Three world champions face off in the women's singles semi-finals and on the men's side we're all wondering what's next after the shock of the tournament saw Malaysia's 22-year-old rising star Lee Zii Jia knock out world number one Momota Kento in straight games.

In the first women's singles semi-final of the day India's P.V. Sindhu is fresh off her hard-fought victory against Japan's Akane Yamaguchi yesterday and will have to overcome Thai shuttler Pornpawee Chochuwong to make the final.

The Rio 2016 silver medallist is back on form after a disappointing showing in Bangkok and aiming for the title.

“I was very focussed,” Pusarla told the BWF after her win on Friday. 

“I’m happy about reaching the semifinals but it’s not over yet. I’ll be playing against Pornpawee (Chochuwong), and I don’t want to think about our previous matches. It’s going to be a new match.”

“The Asian Leg wasn’t good for me. I was really focussed after that, and the training was good. Beating Mia (Blichfeldt) in the Swiss Open was very important; I’d lost to her in Bangkok.”

In the other women's semi-final Rio 2016 bronze medallist and 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara faces 2013 world champ Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand.

"It will be still be tough, though we don't have Marin, Tai Tzu Ying or the Chinese team here, we still have the Japanese," Intanon said yesterday.

"In the women's singles, all the players are very closely matched but it can depends on the day; the one who control the game can win."

Men's singles semi-finals: Axelsen vs. Antonsen

There's a Danish derby in the men's semi-final, in-form and on-fire **Viktor Axelsen**takes on teammate Anders Antonsen for a spot in the final.

Axelsen has won 3/4 titles he's played in 2021 after he claimed the Swiss Open earlier this month following back-to-back titles in Thailand.

But his only loss came to today's opponent Antonsen at the BWF World Tour Finals, and today should be a fascinating encounter.

In the other semi-final Malaysia's newest shuttle star is one match from the final after his giant killing feat yesterday, eliminating Kento Momota.

Standing in his way is Netherlands' Mark Caljouw.

Hit refresh for all the live updates from the 10 semi-final matches.

Here's what's in store on Saturday:

Saturday, 20 March 2021 order of play:

Women's doubles: Fukushima/Hirota v. Piek/Seinen

Men's doubles: Endo/Watanabe v. Bay/Mølhede

Women's singles: Pornpawee Chochuwong v. P.V. Sindhu

Women's doubles: Matsuyama/Shida v. Matsumoto/Nagahara

Women's singles: Ratchanok Intanon v. Okuhara Nozomi

Men's doubles: Astrup/Rasmussen v. Kamura/Sonoda

Mixed doubles: Kaneko/Matsumoto v. Chan/Goh

Men's singles: Lee Zii Jia v. Mark Caljouw

Mixed doubles: Ellis/Smith v. Watanabe/Higashino

Men's singles: Anders Antonsen v. Viktor Axelsen