China is assured of three gold medals at the ongoing Badminton World Cup in Yiyang, central China, with an-all Chinese line-up contesting the men's singles, and women's singles and doubles.

 

The men's doubles is the only title that will be contested by pairs from other countries.

 

The newly-crowned world champion, Lin Dan, moved into the final after Athens Olympics champion Hidayat Taufik called off their much-anticipated semi-final clash, citing a waist injury.

 

Lin will fight compatriot Chen Yu for the men's singles title. Chen reached the final after defeating world number three Chen Jin.

 

Veteran Zhang Ning, who won the Japan and China Open women's singles titles in the past two weeks, has dropped out of the competition. She could not overcome her fatigue and failed to score a win against team mate Wang Yihan.

 

The young Wang will challenge world number one Xie Xingfang in the women's final.

 

(CRI October 28, 2006)