India’s Sameer Verma made history by defeating Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen 21-19 and 24-22 at the Hong Kong Open Super Series semi-final on Saturday. Ranked 43rd in the world, this was the first time Verma qualified for a semi-final in a Badminton World Federation super series. He will now face NG Ka Long Angus in the final on Sunday.

Verma started off well, scoring the first point. Within a few minutes he was ahead of world No. 3. The score line said 8-4 in Verma’s favour. Jorgensen, however, proved to be a touch opponent, levelling scores after every few minutes. The first game of the match went in Verma’s favour with the score line at 21-19.

For the second one, Jorgensen used his experience to clinch the game. However, the 22-year-old badminton player from Madhya Pradesh was brilliant with his smashes and a good forehand play. Despite a great start, the second game was going out of Verma’s hand as Jorgensen hit his smashes well and led 11-5 at the changeover. But Verma recovered soon and bagged eight of the next nine points, putting the score at 13-12. It took Verma 45 minutes to breeze into the final.