Kodai Naraoka is one match away from his biggest career success after the Japanese reached the Malaysia Open final to face defending champion Viktor Axelsen in resilient fashion on Saturday.

One of the most epic battles this year saw Naraoka seal a 21-17, 19-21, 21-17 victory over Thailand's Kunvalut Vitidsarn in a match that stretched on for 113 minutes, much to the delight of the fans at the Axiata Arena.

Naraoka played a total of 362 minutes in his four matches to date, with an average of 90 minutes per match.

His semis victory was not only the longest match in the tournament so far but also had everything from the umpire mixing up the scores on the main display board, not allowing Naraoka a short water break and both players sprawled on court from sheer exhaustion.

Naraoka said his sheer will to win trumped his physical condition.

“How I have lasted so long is because I just wanted to win so badly. Tomorrow’s match against Axelsen will be tough. I will rest and eat well to recover for the final,” he said.

Axelsen’s victory was sealed in contrasting fashion, as the Danish ace barely needed to move out of first gear to dispose of Naraoka’s team-mate Kanta Tsuneyama 21-7, 21-15.

“I felt comfortable pretty quick. I came in with a good feeling and kept it through the whole match. I am satisfied with how I played.

“I am expecting a tough match against Naraoka. The last time we played it was really close and I am preparing for another tough one tomorrow,” said the top seed.

The final on Sunday features a host of Chinese, South Korean and Japanese representatives.

Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong take on Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino in the mixed doubles.

Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan are up against Baek Ha-na-Lee Yu Lim in the women’s doubles, while Akane Yamaguchi and An Se-Young promises to be a tantalising women’s singles match-up.

Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardiano complete the last match against Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang in the men’s doubles final.