CHENGDU — China and Indonesia shared all four tickets to the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals after the men’s and women’s badminton teams won their semifinals here on Saturday.
In the evening session, China’s men’s team beat Malaysia 3-1 to qualify for the Thomas Cup final, while Indonesia took the other final spot by defeating Chinese Taipei 3-0.
In the morning session, China’s women’s team beat Japan 3-0 to advance to the Uber Cup final, while Indonesia beat defending champions South Korea 3-2 for the other final ticket.
In the Thomas Cup semifinals, world No. 2 Shi Yuqi gave China its first point by defeating Lee Zii Jia 21-19, 21-5 in just 39 minutes.
“My opponent has been very good recently, and the first game was strong. To be honest, I played carefully in the second game, but I don’t know why they made more mistakes (during the second game),” Shi said. .
After Malaysian duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik beat Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 to level the score line, Li Shifeng dominated the second singles match, winning 21-17, 21-10 against Leong Jun. Hao to take the lead for China at 2-1.
“My body recovered well today, so I want to release my strength today. Losing Liang and Wang didn’t affect my mentality,” Li said.
In the second doubles, He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu rallied from one game down to beat Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin 18-21, 21-19 and 21-12 to seal victory.
Meanwhile, Indonesia, who has a record 14 titles in the history of the Thomas Cup, won easily against Chinese Taipei in the other semifinal and will play in the final against China, the latter only entered the last eight, but remains close to 10 titles.
On the women’s side, China aims to reclaim the Uber Cup which it lost to South Korea two years ago.
Playing on home soil again from 2016, Olympic champion Chen Yufei defeated Aya Ohori 21-18, 21-15 in straight games, before world No.1 Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan made it 2-0 with a comeback victory over Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu. Shida 14-21, 21-13 and 23-21.
“They played very well, but we always find a way to win. It’s only 18-12 down and we won’t give up even if we’re 20-12 down,” explained Chen and Jia, who overcame a six-point deficit and even saved two match points en route to victory.
“When I’m on the court, I want to win every match with Jia,” Chen added.
Later, He Bingjiao set up a place in the Uber Cup final for China by defeating Nozomi Okuhara 21-8, 21-18.
In the morning, Indonesia beat defending champions South Korea, winning all three singles matches to reach the final for the first time since 2008.
“This is our first semifinal in 14 years, so winning this match means a lot to the team,” said Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, who took the first point for Indonesia with a 21-15, 21-13 win over Sim Yu-jin.
“My dream since childhood is to win the Uber Cup,” added the young star.
Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee from South Korea defeated Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-6, 21-18.
Indonesia won again when Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo won from Kim Ga-ram 20-22, 21-16, 21-12, before Jeong Na-eun and Kong Hee-yong met again in the semi-finals by defeating their second doubles match. Lanny Tria Mayasari and Ribka Sugiarto 21-15, 21-14.
In the third singles match, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi rallied from one game down to defeat Kim Min-sun 17-21, 21-16 and 21-19, giving Indonesia a ticket to the final.
“I want to congratulate the Indonesian women’s team. After a long time, they finally stood on the final stage again. I think this is also a good incentive for us,” said Indonesian men’s singles player Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
The finals of the biennial Thomas Cup and Uber Cup are scheduled to be held on Sunday in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in southwest China.