Chong Wei had to come from behind to beat Du Pengyu in the semi-final after the China player won the first 22-20.
Chong Wei, however, was in commanding form in the next two games as he upped the tempo to win 21-12, 21-15 to seal his place in the final.
Chong Wei can expect a battle in the final as Lin Dan is intent on a record-setting fifth world title.
The two-time Olympic champion beat Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh 21-17, 21-15 to book his place in the final.
However, there was consolation in defeat for Tien Minh as he is the first player from Vietnam to reach the semi-finals of a major event.
Lin Dan was pleased to be in the final again after playing in just one tournament since he won his second Olympics gold in London last August.
“It is unbelievable for me to reach the final,” said Lin Dan.
“Tien is a player I admire so much as he has a strong mind and is very hard working. This is the reason I had to be really prepared for him.”
In the men’s doubles, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng’s dreams of achieving a similar feat like Lin Dan were dashed by Hendra Setiawan-Mohammad Ahsan of Indonesia who won 21-19, 21-17 in 34 minutes.
The Indonesians will face Denmark’s Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen who beat Kim Ki Jung-Kim Sa Rang of Korea 21-23, 21-18, 21-18.
In the women’s singles, Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand advanced to the final after beating another newcomer to the world stage, P.V. Sindhu of India, 21-10, 21-13.
Ratchanok will take on Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China, who beat South Korea’s Bae Youn Joo 21-5, 21-11, in the final tomorrow.
Results — Men’s singles: Lin Dan (Chn) bt Nguyen Tien Minh (Vie) 21-17, 21-15, Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Du Pengyu (Chn) 20-22, 21-12, 21-15.
Doubles: Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan (Ina) bt Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) 21-19, 21-17, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (Den) bt Kim Ki Jung-Kim Sa Rang (Kor) 21-23, 21-18, 21-18.
Women’s singles: Li Xuerui (Chn) bt Bae Yeon-Ju (Kor) 21-5, 21-11, Ratchanok Intanon (Tha) bt P.V. Sindhu (Ind) 21-10, 21-13.
Doubles: Eom Hye Won-Jang Ye Na (Kor) bt Tian Quing-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) 21-16, 21-19, Wang Xiaoli Wang-Yu Fang (Chn) bt Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Den) 21-14, 14-21, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Xu Chen-Ma Jin (Chn) bt Shin Baek Choel-Eom Hye Won (Kor) 21-15 21-17.
Personally love Lin Dan's style but as malaysian have to suport Dato... I wish there can be 2 champion but...
2013-08-11 17:57
I'm for Lin Dan....just don't like Chong Wei...don't want to see his head getting bigger and bigger...for not respecting his former coach and showing off his wealth during wedding...
2013-08-11 18:35
Public holiday ..... please lah. Like kltrader said "what is so great about this fella". I have already put RM1000/- bet on Lin Dan to win. To me, the greatest sports person is David Nicole.....period!
2013-08-11 19:02
i thought Lin Dan won when he is 11-10 in third game already! deserved world champion!
2013-08-11 20:23
Lin Dan keng...his style not lose to his senior yang yang, chau qian wah etc...for Dato LCW?? expected he will lose but just do not expert he will use this injury pattern again...better be a actor instead of sport player...diu
2013-08-11 20:34
No sportsmanship from Dato LCW.... Lin Dan is the greater player then LCW anytime
2013-08-11 21:13
"Confession of A Malaysian Badminton Player" - next showing at any Cineplexes
2013-08-11 21:27
Lin dan is definite world no 1 in badminton in these few years...lcw is no 2
2013-08-11 21:28
Both Chong Wei and Lin Dan are extremely skillful and very competent badminton players globally.
However Lin Dan had the edge in MENTAL STRENGTH and COMPETITIVE SPIRIT TO WIN and the end result speaks for itself.
2013-08-11 21:43
Talent makes the different, Lin Dan is the most complete and perfect player i have ever seen. He deserves the win, although i hope Malaysia to win it once. Anyway i enjoy the match...
2013-08-11 21:57
When i saw lcw lost 2nd round, it is definitely lin dan win 3rd round..lcw never smash in third round due protective strtegy
2013-08-11 21:58
Lee Chong Wei tried his valiant best but his best was not good enough to beat Lin Dan who had the edge in mental strength that drives the competitive spirit to win.
By stating that LCW= Let China Win, your comment has extreme ill intent tinged with extreme bad taste and you should be ashamed of yourself for stating that and moreover you are not giving any respect for LCW who had tried his very best to win the title against extreme odds.
How would you feel if you were LCW position...You tried your valiant best to win the title but your best was not good enough...moreover your knee could no longer support you in the crucial moments... and you could not participate in the prize giving ceremony....
Please be more responsible in your statements.. You should re-assess your own values in life.
2013-08-11 21:58
Lcw is " 2nd milk life" in badminton field, same as men double yap - cheah
2013-08-11 22:02
No extreme ill intent, no tinge of extreme bad taste,no disrespect and nothing to be ashamed. Just 'releasing tension' after a frustrating game. I'm sure all of us enjoy watching but the ending was as just as hair grabbing as the olympic final. Few of us are here in the coffee shop watching live action and there are still manymany more comments all said in good spirits of get togetherness.
2013-08-11 22:16
really waste points for LCW in 2nd round to let Lin Dan win 12-1 with big variance. LCW should try to play different in 2nd or 3rd round.
2013-08-12 06:20
A great game. Lee just lacks of that little luck, this was equal fight between the 2 players, but physically LD was stronger.
2013-08-12 06:48
lotusf1
Dato must beat lin dan n create history .lin dan is a tough nut to crack and dato has to apply pressure ,instantly to crack his defense .we malysians ,are proud of dato lee s achivmnt for t contry n if he wins today will make all of us more prouder!
2013-08-11 06:47