Defending champion Rajiv Ouseph was given his first major test at the English National Championships in Bolton but came through a tough semi-final against Ben Beckman.
The Olympic hopeful from Hounslow was given a run for his money by the number three seed before clinching a 21-17 21-18 victory.
He had breezed through his previous matches, enjoying a 21-16 21-8 first-round win against Ben Dolman before trouncing Alex Marritt 21-9 21-8.
He was just as superior in his quarter-final against Neil White, which he won 21-8 21-8, but Ouseph was made to work much harder by Beckman.
Ouseph, 25, will be bidding to win a record fifth consecutive men’s singles title at the tournament when he faces Carl Baxter in Sunday’s final.
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This post was last modified on 05/02/2012