An beats Yamaguchi to top group at World Tour Finals

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Dec 19 - South Koreas An Se-young finished top of Group A at badmintons World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Friday after defeating world champion Akane Yamaguchi ‍14-21 ​21-5 21-14, while Thailands Ratchanok Intanon beat ‍Chinas Han Yue to advance.

With their spots in the semi-finals already confirmed, Yamaguchi took the ​opener ​against An with some powerful smashes but the Paris Olympics champion capitalised on her opponents errors to regain momentum and win the second game.

Yamaguchi ‍pushed hard in the decider but Ans stout defence helped her pick ​up the win.

Ratchanok sailed past ⁠her opponent 21-17 21-10 to finish second in Group B and book a spot in the next stage of the competition, along with Chinas Wang Zhiyi, who had won both ​her games.

Pornpawee Chochuwong exited due to an injury on Thursday, leaving the group to be ‌contested by the remaining three ​players.

In mens Group B, Chinas Li Shifeng was forced to retire in his match against Taiwans Chou Tien-chen after the Asian Games gold medallist twisted his right foot while leading 21-14 14-11.

Both players were already eliminated from contention after losing their first two games.

World champion Shi Yuqi will take on Japans Kodai ‍Naraoka to decide top spot later in the day.

Paris Olympics silver ​medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn will play Denmarks Anders Antonsen to determine the last semi-final spot ​from Group A.

Frances Christo Popov, who defeated both Antonsen ‌and Vitidsarn, has secured qualification from the group and will face the already-eliminated Jonatan Christie. REUTERS