Baboor enters Asia Cup final

Meanwhile, in the women’s section, the top two seeds moved into the final. Wang Chen of China went past Wong Ching of Hong Kong with a 3-1 verdict to book a final showdown with Kin Boon Sik from Korea, also 3-1 winner against Takahashi Miyoko of Japan.

Earlier, the 23-year-old Baboor had rallied to take three games on the trot to beat his teammate Arup Basak in the semi-finals played in the morning. The lanky Chetan lagging behind by two games, overran Arup 19-21, 19-21, 21-10, 21-19, 21-12 In the semis, Lin started in a commanding fashion and was was all over Indian in the first game. He hardly gave any room to his opponent and wrapped the game in just 9 minutes.

The loss did not deter the gritty Baboor who staged a comeback by unleasingh some fierce top-spin to the Chinese’ backhand.

“Yes Kamlesh Mehta (the Indian coach) did tell me to make use of his drawbacks and that worked,” said Baboor as he too just over nine minutes to draw level at 1-1.

There was no turning back for the Indian hope, as he raced to another thrilling win in the third game with the identical score.

In the fourth game, Baboor trailed 1-4, but fought back to make it 15-10. Four more points flowed with his good placements. At match-point, Lin saved five points, but that was all he could do.

“It is a great day for the country and for Chetan who has made us all proud,” said Mehta in the post-match conference.

“I caught him on his backhand where he was bad and that paid rich dividends” said Baboor.

ResultsMen’s singles (QF): Lin Zhigang (Chn) (101) bt S Raman (Ind) (108) (3-0) 21-16, 21-9, 24-22; Guo Keli (Chn) (102) bt Chan Yuan Su (Tpe) (103) (3-1) 21-16, 21-18, 15-21, 21-15; Leung Chu Yan (Kkg) (105) bt Liu I Teh (Tpe) (104) (3-1) 21-14, 21-17, 10-21, 21-15; Chetan Baboor (Ind) (106) bt Arup Basak (Ind) (107) (3-2) 19-21, 19-21, 21-10, 21-19, 21-12.

Semifinals: Chetan Baboor (Ind) bt Lin Zhigang (Chn) 3-1 (15-21, 21-15, 21-5, 21-15); Guo Keli (Chn) bt Leung Chu Yan (Hkg) 3-0 (21-13, 21-12, 21-14).

Women’s singles (QF): Wang Chen (Chn) (121) bt Tsui Hsui Li (Tpe) (123) (3-0) 21-13, 21-17, 21-15; Wong Ching (Hkg) (124) bt Jun Hye Kyung (Kor) (132) (3-2) 15-21, 19-21, 21-11, 21-16, 21-14; Kim Boon Sik (Kor) (131) bt Sato Motoko (Jpn) (130) (3-0) 22-20, 21-19, 21-12; Takahashi Miyoko (Jpn) (129) bt Song Su Sim (Hkg) (125) (3-1) 21-19, 17-21, 23-21, 23-21.

Semifinals: Wang Chen (Chn) bt Wong Ching (HKH) 3-1 (21-16, 18-21, 21-13, 21-18); Kim Boon Sik (Kor) bt Takahashi Miyoko (Jpn) 3-1 (14-21), 21-11, 21-16, 21-11.