Top seed Tai Tzu Ying takes on third seed Sung Ji Hyun in the Women's singles semi-final of 2017 Malaysia Superseries Premier at the Jalan Stadium in Kuching on Saturday.
Tai was tested in the competition for the first time in her quarter-final outing by 19-year-old Chinese shuttler Chen Yufei. In the match that went for an hour and nine minutes, the world number one had it easy only in the first game, which she took 21-17. However, the Taiwanese shuttler remained composed to fend away the stiff challenge and survive another day in Malaysia.
On the other hand, Sung decimated China's Sun Yu 21-11, 21-15 in just 45 minutes to enter the last-four stages for the third time this season.
A cracking contest awaits badminton fans in Sarawak as both shuttlers look strong on paper. However, Tai will start the tie as favourite, given her recent form. The 22-year-old has looked unstoppable in the recent past and has won three Superseries titles on the trot.
Tai's dream run began when she clinched the Hong Open 2016 title, beating PV Sindhu in the final. She went on to win the World Superseries Finals later in the year and only came back to action at All England Championships last month, which she won wihout much trouble.
Sung also has been consistent in the new season, reaching the semi-final in All England Championships and India Open but she has struggled to get past the penultimate hurdles. The world number five, notably, lost to Tai in the semi-final in Birmingham in a match that needed three games to decide the winner.
Trailing Tai 9-11 in head-to-head meetings, Sung would want to put another one across the Taiwanese shuttler and claim revenge but the South Korean has to be at her best to stand a chance against Tai, who has been decimating her opponents with her deceptive play.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 2
Malaysia: Astro Supersport
Singapore: StarHub Sports
