Lin loses for 1st time to Chen in All-England Open semis

Chen Long plays a shot during the men's singles semifinals against Lin Dan at the All-England Badminton Championships in Birmingham, England, March 7, 2015. Chen Long beat Lin Dan 21-13, 21-12, to reach the final. [Photo/IC]

"The important phase was coming from behind in the second," Chen said. "This win means I can improve, knowing I can beat players like that."

Lin said he failed to get pumped up for the semi, admitting he couldn't "shout or show fist pumps" against his teammate, who will play Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark for his second All-England title in three years.

The Dane has yet to drop a game, after beating Sho Sasaki of Japan 21-11, 21-12. Chen has a 6-1 record against Jorgensen, although the Dane won their last match in June.

Marin couldn't disguise her delight as she won her semi 21-18, 21-11 against Tai, breaking into vocal outbursts of celebration.

She and Saina Nehwal will contest their first All-England final, after the Indian beat Sun Yu of China 21-13, 21-13 in 51 minutes.

"It is a big event and everyone dreams of winning," Nehwal said. "This is a big hurdle, and everyone (in India) expects a lot of me."

Nehwal said she has prepared for matches this week by watching the films of Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan.

"They have kept me relaxed," said Nehwal, who first played here in 2007. "I used to play with a lot of pressure but I was free today.

In the mixed doubles final, Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia will attempt to win their fourth successive All-England title against Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China.