Lin Dan and Taufik (left), present and past Asian, world and Olympic champions were engaged in a tight first game which the Chinese superstar won 21-18. The effort took a lot out of Taufik, who then fell tamely 21-8 in the second as his search for the elusive All England title continues.
“The first game was a good one and interesting (to watch). In the second, I was down, but it is OK. I’m happy today maybe the next time I know how to beat him,” said Taufik who will now prepare for next week’s Swiss Open.
Lin Dan said: “Of course I’m pleased with performance against Taufik as he is a good player. It will be a big loss when he retires.”
In the top half of the draw for the final OSIM BWF World Superseries Premier tournament in the Olympic qualifying period, world No. 1 Chong Wei hardly broke sweat as he crushed Indonesia's Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka 21-9, 21-11
Liew Daren's challenge came to an end when South Korea' s Lee Hyun Il beat him 21-13, 21-13, thus, preventing an all-Malaysian semi-finals.
In the other semi-final, Lin Dan, whom Chong Wei beat in last year's final to win the prestigious crown for a second time, will face Kenichi Tago of Japan, the player Chong Wei beat in the 2010 final.
Tago stunned Chen Long 22-24, 21-12, 21-14, but will face a much harder contest against Lin Dan.
In the men’s doubles competition, the top three seeds marched into the semi-finals and were joined by eighth seeded Japanese duo Hirokatsu Hashimoto-Noriyasu Hirata, who ousted Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu 21-15, 17-21, 21-12.
They will now play top seeds Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng, who crushed Indonesia’s Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano 21-19, 21-8 in 31 minutes.
Second seed Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae and defending champions Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (above), will meet in the second semi-final.
South Koreans Jae Sung-Yong Dae booked their ticket to the final four when they got revenge for their loss in Sunday’s German Open final by beating China’s Hong Wei-Shen Ye 21-15, 21-15.
The third seeded Danes were given a slight scare before overcoming fifth seeds Chai Biao-Guo Zhendong 21-12, 21-19.
For full results, click here.