Olympic champion Chen Long of China has moved to within one win of claiming his first Badminton World Federation Superseries title of the year ©BWF

Olympic champion Chen Long of China has moved to within one win of claiming his first Badminton World Federation Superseries title of the year after reaching the Australian Open final with a three-game victory over South Korea’s Lee Hyun Il.

The Rio 2016 gold medallist triumphed 26-24, 15-21, 21-17 at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, setting up a meeting with India’s Srikanth Kidambi.

Lee failed to convert any of his four game points in the opening game and although he took the second and had his chances in the third, a late surge from Chen proved decisive.

"I wasn’t perturbed at missing four game points in the opening game as I’d come in prepared to play a long match," the 37-year-old veteran said.

"I’m quite satisfied with my performance this tournament.

"I feel less pressure now as an independent player.

"That’s why my performances have improved in recent times."

Top seed Tai Tzu Ying has been knocked out of the women's singles competition at the semi-final stage ©Getty Images
Top seed Tai Tzu Ying has been knocked out of the women's singles competition at the semi-final stage ©Getty Images

Kidambi booked his place in the final with a 21-10, 21-14 win over fourth seed Shi Yuqi of China.

In the women's event, top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei suffered elimination at the penultimate stage after falling to a 19-21, 12-21 defeat at the hands of third seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.

Awaiting Yamaguchi in the final is unseeded compatriot Nozomi Okuhara, who overcame sixth seed Sun Yu of China 21-18, 18-21, 21-14.

Both finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.