REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian senior badminton men's single Sony Dwi Kuncoro recorded a surprise by eliminating top seed Lin Dan of China at the semi-final round of the Singapore Open on Saturday.

Sony won three games beating Lin Dan 21-10, 17-21, 22-20 in the match lasting 69 minutes, according to a written statement received on Saturday (April 16) from the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI).

The third game turned out to be the most important for both the athletes since each had bagged one.

Although Sony had led 5-0 in the third game, Lin Dan, the 2008 gold medalist in Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics, was later able to catch him up and even took the lead 7-5. It happened again later when Sony lead 10-8 Lin Dan later caught him up and led 13-10 and then 14-10 before Sony finally was able to end the game in his favor 22-20.

"I played without a specific strategy. I only see the situation on the ground and understand the opponent," Sony pointed out.

Sony also said his victory is proof that senior athletes are capable of competing at the level of super series although he had earlier suffered an injury.

This victory was Sony's third in nine matches against Lin Dan so far.

In the final round on Sunday (April 17), Sony will face Korean men's single Son Wan Ho who defeated Hong Kong athlete Ng Ka Long Angus 22-20, 21-16 in the semifinal round.

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