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PARIS, Oct. 26-- Chinese shuttlers took up half of semifinal spots in the men's and women's singles events at the 2018 BWF French Open here on Friday. Second-seeded Shi Yuqi fared well at the start against South Korean Son Wan Ho, building an 11-2 lead at the changeover, before tasting a 21-11 victory in the first game. The second game ran more tightly as Son made his response, but Shi still pulled away for a 21-13 win. "I heated up quickly. My opponent was reluctant to let the match slip away, and he played more patiently in the second game, so it was a bit more intense before the changeover," Shi told Xinhua. Men's singles Olympic gold medalist Chen Long eliminated the Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-18, 12-21, 21-16. "He played better and more confidently after winning the Asian Games champion. He began to find rhythm late in the first game, but I stayed concentrated in the decider," Chen pointed out. Shi will take on Dane Rasmus Gemke in the semifinal. Much more challenge awaits Chen as he will face Japanese ace Kento Momota, who saw off defending champion Kidambi Srikanth of India 21-16, 21-19. Chen Yufei, the women's singles fourth seed, rallied past Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 16-21, 21-16, 21-13, setting up a semifinal clash with top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei. "A sluggish start caused much pressure for me in the first game. Since the second, I became more patient and did not concede turnovers easily," said Chen. | 
