The 33-year-old battled to victory in an 84 minute epic against South Korean opponent Son Wan-hon.

A titanic first set duel ended 27-25 in favour of the Chinese star.

But Son, seeded five to Dan's seven, battled back to win the second 21-19.

Not for nothing is Dan one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, though, and he duly won the decider 21-16.

A dream final awaits with defending champion and 11-time winner Lee Chong Wei.

The top seed and home superstar thrashed Hong Kong's Wong Wing Ki Vincent today.

The 34-year-old won 21-12, 21-9 in just 39 minutes.

Lee lost to Dan in both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic gold medal matches, as well as in the finals of the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.

He finally beat his nemesis in the semi-finals of the Rio 2016 Olympics, only to lose to another Chinese star in Chen Long in the final.

"I know everyone wants to see me play Lee in the final," said Dan after his win. 

"I feel lucky to have a rival like him who plays at that level. 

"When I came here, I was touched by the support of the crowd and that inspired me to do well."

Taiwan's top ranked Tai Tzu-ying overcame a first game wobble to beat South Korea's third seed Sung Ji-hyun in the women's semi-finals.

She won 20-22, 21-13, 21-12 in 62 minutes.

Spain's reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain will be her final opponent after she beat Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 23-21, 21-19 in 53 minutes.