jakarta : world No.1 chen long advance to the final of the men's singles at the world badminton championships yesterday for a second year running, white top seed carolina marin also earned the chance to defrnd her women's world title.
Chen smashed kento momota of japan 21-9, 21-15, ending the young player's dreams of clinching his maiden world crown in jakarta.
the chinese shuttler will play lee chong wei of malaysia in today's final.
lee, a three-time runner-up at badminton's most prestigious event, advance to yet another title match after swatting aside second seed jano jorgensen of denmark 21-7, 21-19.
the former world no.1 is unseeded for the first time in years at this world championship, having just returned from an eight-month ban for doping.
"last year and this year are very different," said 32 year-old lee.
"this is my chance, and maybe my last opportunity."
momota, who won the indonesian open in jakata in june and had medal ambititons at the world championships, knew beating chen was a long shot but was disappointed with his performance.