HYDERABAD (India), Aug 15 Olympic champion Lin Dan passed a stiff test against Sony Dwi Kuncoro at the World Badminton Championships to move one step away from capturing a record hat-trick of world titles on Saturday.

The player nicknamed “Super Dan” ended Indonesian hopes in the singles by downing sixth seed Kuncoro 21-14, 13-21, 21-15 to set up an all-Chinese final against world number two Chen Jin.

Second seed Chen muscled his way past former champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, routing the fourth seed 21-16, 21-6 in 39 minutes in an awesome display of power and precision.

The women's singles final will have both Chinese contenders.

In the first semi-final, Xie Xingfang of China moved into the final of when she beat Pi Hongyan of France 21-18, 21-8. Lu Lan of China entered the decider with a 21-18, 21-19 win over compatriot Wang Lin.

Lin, 25, praised Kuncoro and was happy China will be the winner on Sunday.

“Sony was playing tactfully, not allowing me to finish off quickly,” he said, adding “It does not matter who wins, China is assured of the gold medal.”

Hidayat, the 2004 Olympic champion, countered the 23-year-old Chen's power initially with his crafty approach, staying level until 14-all in the opening game.

But the taller Chen took charge, hammering powerful smashes to the Indonesian's forehand and body to take the match.

Results (prefix number denotes seeding)

Men's singles

Semi-finals 2-Chen Jin (China) bt 4-Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia) 21-16, 21-6; 5-Lin Dan (China) bt 6-Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Indonesia) 21-14, 13-21, 21-15.

Women's singles

Semi-finals 7-Lu Lan (China) bt 2-Wang Lin (China) 21-18, 21-19; 5-Xie Xingfang (China) bt 8-Pi Hongyan (France) 21-18, 21-8.

Mixed doubles

Semi-finals 7-Thomas Laybourn/ Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Denmark) bt 1-Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung (Korea) 18-21, 21-9, 21-18; 2-Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir (Indonesia) bt 6-Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen (Denmark) 21-18, 14-21, 21-18.—Agencies