Lin Dan and Chen Long to face off in All-England semis

Olympic champion Lin Dan earned his most significant world tour showdown in two-and-a-half years with a third successive straight games victory to ensure a meeting with world champion Chen Long in the semi-finals of the All-England Open.

The 31-year-old Chinese legend outmanoeuvred Kento Momota, a 20-year-old hero of Japan’s Thomas Cup world team triumph, by 21-18, 21-19 in Birmingham on Friday.

He proved himself as both a tactical maestro, and as possessed of the greatest range of strokes in the game.

Lin was slightly behind during most of the first game against an opponent who tended to prosper when he was able to launched speedy attacks. After getting his nose in front at 18-17, however, Lin was increasingly able alter the character of the match.

“I found a way to win the points more easily,” he said. “I tried to control the game and prevent Momota from making further attacks. I was really happy with the way I was able to adjust.”