The 2004 Olympic champion and Asian Games gold medalist seemed content to take the match to three sets, defeating Du 21-15, 17-21, 21-17 in one hour and 15 minutes.

Taufik advanced to the semifinal after defeating Japan’s Kenichi Tago 21-19, 21-19 on Friday, while Du beat India’s Kashyap Parupalli 21-13, 21-17.

“Playing to three sets today won’t hurt my stamina for tomorrow. I’m ready,” Taufik said after the match. He also dismissed speculation that the heavier shuttlecock played a significant part in his victory.

Taufik will face Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen, who defeated Hong Kong’s Hu Yun 21-12, 21-17 in the other semifinal.

“Jan is young and a very good player. It will definitely be a great final tomorrow. I am happy that the crowd today was rooting for me. But things will be different tomorrow as Jan is playing at home.”

Indonesian men’s doubles pair Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido also advanced to the final after defeating Japanese pair Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa 21-15, 21-16.

“The Japanese pair hasn’t fully recovered from yesterday’s three-set game. That’s good for us,” Markis said after the semifinal. World number three Hendra and Kido will meet either top seeds Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen or Yoshiteru Hirobe and Kenta Kazuno of Japan.

Meanwhile, the only Indonesian mixed doubles pair left standing, world number two Hendra Aprida Gunawan and Vita Marissa, ran out of ammo against Danish pair Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl.

“I have to acknowledge that I was not fully loaded tonight following yesterday’s two rubber matches,” Hendra Aprida said after surrendering 19-21, 15-21 to Laybourn and Rytter Juhl at the Danes’ home ground.

In Friday’s quarters, Hendra Aprida and Vita advanced to the semis after a rubber match against Michael Fuchs and Birgit Overzier of Germany concluded 21-17, 15-21, 21-15.

Hendra appeared again later in the men’s doubles with partner Alvent Yulianto Chandra, this time losing a three game set 21-17, 13-21, 19-21 to Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa.

Indonesia’s inability to apply pressure was a clear advantage for the Danes. “We were expecting a little bit more attack, not as soft as today. [Hendra Aprida] usually hits very hard from the back line,” said Laybourn, who along with his partner also defeated the Indonesian pair at the recent Singapore Open.

“We just kept our level of play at high speed. It was a bit messy in the first game, but we held full control in the second game,” said Laybourn, who is expected to regain another home field title this year after their triumph at the 2005 Denmark Open.

“Their strengths lie in Kamilla’s high posture and Thomas’ fast pace play. They also have home crowd advantage,” Vita said. Hendra and Vita last won against the Danish pair at the 2009 Japan Open Super Series.

In Sunday’s finals the Danes will be facing sixth-seed Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork of England, who beat Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam of Thailand 21-16, 18-21, 21-16.

Popular

Military deployment against student protest draws flak

Fuel price hike puts further strain on workers, economy

Into the light, Danantara