An to face Yamaguchi in last four of World Tour Finals as Popov and Shi enter mens semis

Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox

Dec 19 - Japanese world champion Akane Yamaguchi will face an immediate rematch with world-number-one An Se-young in the womens semi-finals of badmintons World Tour Finals, after the South Korean beat her in a Group A clash in Hangzhou on Friday.

Thailands Ratchanok Intanon beat Han Yue to finish second in Group B. Intanon will face Chinas Wang Zhiyi, the group winner, in the semis on Saturday, after a draw decided the last-four match-ups.

Chinese mens world champion Shi Yuqi is set to face Thailands Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semis, while Frenchman Christo Popov will play Japans Kodai Naraoka.

This means a lot to me. I think fans in France are really looking forward to watching me play tomorrow... I think these kinds of results are good for France and show that we are growing as a nation, Popov said.

With their semi-finals spots 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 a 14-21 21-5 21-14 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