Manama: Fourth-Seeded Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore entered the men’s singles final of the Bahrain International Badminton Challenge 2015 at Shaikh Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town last night.

The 23-year-old Wong managed outplayed Canada’s Martin Giuffre 21-11, 21-10 in the semi-final.

In today’s final, Wong, who ranks 39 in the world, will meet 11th seed Sameer Verma of India. Verma saw off compatriot Ragul Yadav Chittaboina 21-13, 21-17 in the other semi-final.

Verma had eliminated top-seeded Tien Minh Nguyen of Indonesia in the quarter-final on Thursday. 

In women’s singles, Saili Rane of India beat Gabriela Meilani Moningka of Indonesia. Rane lost the first set to her opponent 19-21 and was en route to losing the second as well when Moningka’s suffered an injury setback. 

Rane capitalised on the situation and managed to take hold of the following two sets winning them 21-13, 21-13. 

The second semifinal saw fifth-seeded Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand claim a tough victory over Neslihan Yigit of Turkey 21-18, 19-21, 21-17. 

In the mixed doubles, top-seeded Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Yu Yan Vanessa Neo of Singapore triumphed over India’s Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan 21-16, 21-19. 

The Singaporean duo are set to face Bodin Issara and Savitree Amitrapai of Thailand who defeated Vitalij Durkin and Nina Vislova of Russia 21-18, 21-10. 

Meanwhile, top seeds Eva Lee and Paula Lynn Obanana of the US crashed out in the women’s doubles semi-finals following a 21-18, 22-20 defeat to Savitree Amitrapai and Pachraoun Chochuwong of Thailand. 

In the second semifinal Chaladchalam Chayanit and Phataimas Muenwong of Thailand defeated India’s Maneesha and Nelakurihi Sikki Reddy 21-15, 21-16. 

Another shock result came in the men’s doubles when top-seeded Michael Fuchs and Johannes Schoettler of Germany were beaten by Thailand’s Bodin Issara and Nipitphon Puangpuapech 21-17, 10-21, 21-13. 

The duo are set to face their countrymen Wannawat Ampunsuwan and Tinn Isriyanate who defeated second-seeded Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshat Dewalkar of India 22-24, 21-18, 22-20. 

The mixed doubles final will take place at 5.30pm today followed by women’s and men’s singles. 

The women’s and men’s doubles finals will take place later in the evening. 

All final matches will be played at Shaikh Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.