An Seyoung’s quest to win both her home crowns will face a stern test in the form of He Bing Jiao in the 2022 Gwangju YONEX Korea Masters semifinals after both completed their last eight matches without breaking much sweat.

Title holder An, who last week lifted her first Korea Open, beat Thailand’s Supanida Katethong 21-8 21-14 in 36 minutes while He got the job done eight minutes faster against another Korean Lee Se Yeon 21-9 21-10.

Their semifinal promises to be exciting as An has yet to better He in two meetings, losing their most recent clash just last month in the German Open semifinal.

The winner of this tie could take on Chen Yu Fei after the Olympic gold medallist defeated Asuka Takahashi to set up a last four duel with fellow Chinese Wang Zhi Yi.

Chen took 35 minutes to dispatch her Japanese opponent 21-14 21-10 while Wang overcame eighth seed Yeo Jia Min 21-13 21-13.

Seeds out

• The biggest upset saw All England champions and men’s doubles fourth seeds Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana brought down by world No.57 Japanese pair Hiroki Okamura/Masayuki Onodera in the longest match of the day (78 minutes).

NOTEWORTHY:

• Kang Minhyuk and Seo Seungjae, winners last week in Suncheon, were ousted by two-time champs Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang 21-19 21-13.
• Jeon Hyeok Jin came out on top in the battle of former titlists with countryman Son Wanho 21-3 21-16.
• Ou Xuan Yi, new partner for former world No.1s Huang Ya Qiong in mixed doubles and Liu Yu Chen in men’s doubles, is on track to qualify for both finals.

→ Results (Day 4)

→ Order of Play (Day 5)