COPENHAGEN (AFP) - Spain's Carolina Marin ended her country's long wait for a first badminton world championship medal on Friday when she reached the semi-finals of the women's singles in Copenhagen, assuring herself of at least bronze.

Marin, the reigning European champion, fought back to beat Taiwanese eighth seed Tai Tzu-ying 19-21, 21-19, 21-11 to secure a place in the last four where she will meet Indian teenager P.V. Sindhu.

"This is not just for me but for all of Spain, my coaches and the federation," said Marin, the world No. 10.

"Some people came over to support me from Spain and that's nice. One of my goals was to get a medal and I've done that.

"The crowd here was all supporting the European players. They really support me and it feels great.

"I'm looking forward to playing here again tomorrow," added Marin, whose upcoming opponent Sindhu made history herself on Friday by becoming the first Indian to win two world championship medals having also earned bronze a year ago in Guangzhou, China.