KUALA LUMPUR: A one-day break made very little difference for Malaysia's world No. 18 Ng Tze Yong, who crashed out of the French Open on Saturday.
Despite receiving a walkover from Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the quarter-finals, Ng Tze Yong couldn't capitalise on the advantage and lost to China's Li Shi Feng in straight games, 21-17, 21-13.
Not only did the Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist extend his perfect winning record to 6-0 over Tze Yong, but the world No. 5 also ended Malaysia's interest in the Super 750 event.
For the record, it was Shi Feng who knocked out world No. 11 Lee Zii Jia in the second round on Thursday.
Shi Feng will face Indonesia's Jonatan Christie for the crown on Sunday.
As for Tze Yong, the 23-year-old will need to quickly recollect himself, as he gears up for the Super 300 Hylo Open next.
It will be his fourth consecutive tournament in Europe and fifth since the Asiad.
Speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in his post-match interview, Tze Yong said: "I was nervous, and wanted to get the points easily, so I was trying to make perfect shots.
"I didn't think too much in the second game, but tried not to make too many simple mistakes.
"I might be heading to the Hylo Open next, and I don't have much time. I need to get some rest and fight again next week."
Since he started playing in top tier tournaments this year, Tze Yong has reached one World Tour final (Arctic Open) and two semi-finals.
At the moment, both Zii Jia and Tze Yong are in the running to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
For the singles events, each country is allowed a maximum of two players provided they are ranked in the top 16 by April in the Race to Paris rankings.