"Indonesia Open Super Series 2011" Sasaki the Sho stealer once again

Japan’s Sho Sasaki continued his amazing form to reach the semi-finals of the Djarum Indonesia Open Superseries Premier on Friday.

The Yonex Australia Open Grand Prix Gold winner, who stunned reigning Olympic and Asian Games gold medallist Lin Dan on Thursday, took out world champion Chen Jin in three tight games to leave Chen Long as the only Chinese player left in the men’s singles draw.

Sasaki came back from a first game deficit to record his third consecutive victory over Chen Jin this year. The Japanese star won 18-21, 21-12, 21-15 in 71 minutes.

His reward is a semi-final match-up against Danish veteran Peter Gade (left), who turned back the clock to defeat Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat in straight games.

Gade, 34, the oldest man left in the draw, outplayed the world No. 3 21-17, 21-15 in 40 minutes.

“This is one of my best matches ever. Taufik made a lot of mistakes. I'm very happy that I could beat him on his home court,” said Gade, who is searching for his first OSIM BWF World Superseries crown of the year as well as his first Superseries title since winning the Korea Open in 2009.

Taufik, who lost last year’s final to Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, was hoping to set a record for the most men's singles crowns at the Indonesia Open. He is tied on six with former Indonesian shuttler Ardy Wiranata.

“I’m very disappointed but have to applaud Peter for playing consistently in the last several tournaments. He performed really well today,” said Taufik, who suffered a second round loss at last week’s Li Ning Singapore Open.

“I was trying to get out of Peter's attacking pressure but made a lot of mistakes. I was a bit unfocused,” added Taufik (right).

Chen Long booked his semi-final ticket when he defeated team mate Du Pengyu 21-14, 21-15. He will now play Chong Wei, who is attempting to become the third person and first non-Indonesian to win this tournament for the third consecutive time.

The world No. 1, who also won in 2007, cruised into the final four by taking out Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh 21-10, 21-14. Ardy (1990, 1991, 1992) and Taufik (2002, 2003, 2004), are the only players to have won the Indonesian Open men’s singles crown for three consecutive years.

“I'm in the semis now and that’s where my focus will be. The final or the title, that’s a different story,” said Chong Wei, who is hoping to win his sixth title of the year and fourth OSIM BWF World Superseries crown of 2011 after taking home the Proton Malaysia Open Superseries, Yonex All England Superseries Premier and Yonex Sunrise India Open Superseries.

“I must focus on the semi-finals as you know, everyone is eyeing me.

“There used to be a time when I worry and think how I should play against certain opponents. Now, my only worry is how to deliver my best and play to my true capabilities.”