RIO DE JANEIRO: Lee Chong Wei ended years of pain inflicted by Lin Dan when he dethroned the two-time champion in the Rio Olympics men's singles semi-final at Pavilion 4, Ricentro on Friday.
Over the course of their rivalry, the China ace denied Chong Wei in the final of two Olympics, two World Championships and one Asian Games but it was not to be the case today.
In a match that really came to life in the deciding game, Chong Wei persevered to win 15-21, 21-11, 22-20 in 79 minutes.
The third was a classic, with Lin Dan drawing level despite Chong Wei holding three match points at 20-17 but having been denied gold in almost the same situation in the 2012 London Olympics final, the Malaysian World No 1 was not about to let history repeat itself.
"The London final came into my mind when Lin Dan drew level at 20-20 but I told myself to forget it. I told myself to focus on what was happening now and I am so happy to have made the final."
Chong Wei will play China’s Chen Long, who beat Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 21-14, 21-15, in Saturday's final.
There have been some massive battles between Chong Wei, 34, and Lin Dan, 33, over the last decade and the Rio semi-final is almost surely their last meeting in a major event.
They hugged at the end, exchanged T-shirts and spoke.
"Lin Dan congratulated me and told me there could be only one winner today. I am so glad that it was me," said Chong Wei.
"Now, it is about the final and I will give my best."
The singles final is scheduled for 8.20pm in Malaysia on Saturday.