China’s men’s world champion Shi Yuqi will take on Christo Popov in the title match at badminton’s BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Sunday, while compatriot Wang Zhiyi meets An Se-young in the women’s showpiece.
Popov, making his tournament debut as a singles player, will be the first French player to contest the final after he overwhelmed Japan’s Kodai Naraoka with his speed and power to win 21-19, 21-8 in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Shi, who is looking to equal Viktor Axelsen with a third straight World Tour Finals title, beat Thai world No 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16, 21-13 in the second semi-final.
Popov is trying to become the third European to clinch the men’s singles title after Danes Anders Antonsen and Axelsen, with the latter winning a record three times.
Wang Zhiyi in semi-final action against Ratchanok Intanon on Saturday. Photo: AFP
“The first game was very important, being very long, and winning that made me confident for the second game, and I got more aggressive,” Popov said.