Chinese shuttler Bao Chunlai edged past compatriot Li Yu 21-14, 21-15 to enter men's singles final at Beijing International Badminton Tournament on Saturday.

The win certainly didn't come easy for the second-seeded left-handed Bao. In the first game, the combination of Bao's errors and Li's smashes made the score tie five times. Bao held his composure to widen the margin with sharp-angled shots and series of forehand smashes at 11-7 before the break.

Being quick at the net and precise with his smashes, Bao maintained the advantage with a run of four straight of his won en route to the 21-14 victory in the first set.

The second game followed the same pattern as Bao was left behind at 2-5 before pocketing seven consecutive points to take the largest lead at 13-6.Bao then powered his engine with his trick shots to finally pressure Li to lose at 15-21 in 33 minutes, roared on by hundreds of Bao's supporters.

"He (Li) is an energetic young player and I played him very hard today. I felt relieved that finally I made it," said Bao after the match.

Speaking of his encounter with Lin Dan tomorrow, Bao is at ease, "Nothing to worry about, just try my best and play every minute as if it were Olympics," said Bao.

"I will dress in blue, that's my lucky color," he smiled.

Men's singles final will be held on Oct. 14 at Beijing University of Technology (BUT) Gymnasium, the badminton venue for 2008 Beijing Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2007)