Chen Yufei celebrates victory on Sunday. Photo: VCG

China's top seed Chen Yufei defeated Chinese Taipei's world No.1 Tai Tzu-ying in the ­badminton women's singles final to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday.

Scores seesawed from the onset before Chen led from a 17-17 tie to 21-18. Chen raced to a 11-8 lead in the second game, but Tai recovered from 12-14 down to win 21-19. In the decider, Chen dominated to clinch a 21-18 victory, thus winning the final 2-1.

Chen, 23, who is a two-time bronze medalist at world championships, harvested her first Olympic gold in her Olympic debut.

Ealier in the day, India's No.7 Pusarla Venkata Sindhu beat Chen's teammate He Bingjiao 21-13, 21-15 to bag the bronze.

In the men's competition, Olympic defending champion Chen Long beat Indonesia's fifth seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 2-0 in badminton men's singles to reach the final, getting one step closer to claiming his second Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020.

After tying at 4-4 in the opening set, Chen reeled in five points in straight to reinforce the lead and took the game 21-16. He continued to dominate the second game to a 21-11 victory.

Chen, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion will meet Denmark's world No.2 Victor Axelsen on Monday to defend his title.

Earlier in the other semifinal, Axelsen crushed the event's dark horse, No.59 ­Kevin Cordon from ­Guatemala, to progress into the final.

Chen, asked how he will contest against Axelsen, said he is not under pressure. "He is in perfect condition and made it through to the final comfortably. So what I need to do is to bring out the best of myself," Chen said.