By Gary Anderson

Chen Long of China came through his World Championship semi-final against Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto ©AFP/Getty ImagesChen Long and Li Xuerui ensured that China remains on course for a shot at winning both singles titles at the Badminton World Championships at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen as each put in impressive performances in their semi-finals today.

Second seed Chen overcame Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia 21-16, 22-20 in a high quality match that lasted 70 minutes. 

That win sets up a mouth-watering clash with Malaysian top-seed Lee Chong Wei, who needed less than half that time to end the hopes of a home win for Viktor Axelsen.

Lee, chasing a first world title, reached his third consecutive World Championship final after crushing the Dane 21-9, 21-7.

"Yes, I've got better with each match," said double Olympic silver medallist Lee.

"I will try to be better again.

"I know my country really wants to have a world champion, and there is a lot of pressure.

"I will try to enjoy it."

Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei will contest his third consecutive World Championship singles final in Copenhagen tomorrow ©AFP/Getty ImagesMalaysia's Lee Chong Wei will contest his third consecutive World Championship singles final in Copenhagen tomorrow ©AFP/Getty Images



London 2012 champion Xuerui wrapped up a 21-8, 21-14 victory in 31 minutes against Japan's Minatsu Mitani.

Mitani would have entertained hopes of causing another major upset after knocking out Thailand's defending champion Ratchanok Intanon earlier in the week.

But she never looked like claiming another big scalp as Xuerui remains on track to better her runners-up spot at last year's Championships in Guangzhou.

Carolina Marin of Spain bucked the Asian monopoly in the singles events as she saw off India's PV Sindhu 21-17, 21-15 in less than an hour to book her place in the final.

China's Olympic champion Li Xuerui remains on track to add a women's world singles title to her collection of honours ©AFP/Getty ImagesChina's Olympic champion Li Xuerui remains on track to add a women's world singles title to her collection of honours ©AFP/Getty Images



There will be an all-South Korean and all-Chinese clash in the men's and women's doubles finals respectively.

Yong Dae Lee and Yeon Seong Yoo had too much firepower for Danish duo Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen emerging with a 21-12, 21-18.

They will meet surprise package Sung Hyun Ko and Baek Choel Shin as the number 12 seeds progressed straight to the final after compatriots and fifth seeds Ki Jung Kim and Sa Rang Kim could not take to the court due to a neck injury to Sa.

Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli kept their quest for a third straight women's doubles world title - and China's 11th in succession - on track after cruising passed Japan's Reika Kakiiwa and Miyuki Maeda.

They will meet compatriots Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao, equally impressive in despatching South Korean pair So Hee Lee and Seung Chan Shin 21-13, 21-10.

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