Can China Overcome Japan to Secure a 14th Sudirman Cup Title?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- China defeated Japan 3-0 in the Sudirman Cup semifinals.
- Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping led with a strong mixed doubles performance.
- Shi Yuqi and Chen Yufei also secured important victories for China.
- China aims for their 14th Sudirman Cup title in the finals.
- South Korea will be China's opponent in the final.
Xiamen (China), May 3 (NationPress) China triumphed over Japan with a commanding 3-0 victory in the Sudirman Cup semifinals on Saturday, earning a place in the final against South Korea while striving to enhance their legacy in this esteemed mixed team badminton tournament.
The reigning champions began with a solid performance as the mixed doubles duo of Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated Japan’s newly formed team, Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi, with scores of 21-11, 21-17. Feng, who celebrated exuberantly post-match, remarked that the win held special importance for him, according to reports from Xinhua.
This pair had previously faced a significant defeat against Japan in the 2023 semifinals, a setback that nearly cost China the championship, but they staged an incredible comeback to clinch the title.
“That loss has been on my mind. Today was about making things right,” Feng told Xinhua. “Competing against Japan again at this level and delivering such a performance is a testament to our development,” Huang added.
Shi Yuqi showcased his skills in the men’s singles, overpowering Kodai Naraoka with scores of 21-8, 21-16 in merely 44 minutes.
The Olympic champion, Chen Yufei, secured China’s final spot after overcoming a first-game loss to beat Akane Yamaguchi with scores of 17-21, 21-9, 21-16.
Later that day, South Korea managed a hard-earned 3-2 victory against Indonesia in the other semifinal, setting up a repeat of the 2023 final, where China had previously won with a 3-0 scoreline.
A win this Sunday would mark China’s fourth consecutive Sudirman Cup title and their 14th overall in the history of this biennial tournament. “In team competitions, no one wants to be the weak link. We’ll give everything tomorrow,” Chen stated.
China had earlier swept Malaysia 3-0 in the quarterfinals, securing their place in the semi-finals of this world badminton mixed-team championship. Japan also triumphed over Chinese Taipei with a 3-0 score.
In other quarterfinal matches, Jonatan Christie defeated world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, propelling Indonesia to a 3-1 win over Thailand, while South Korea, led by Paris Olympic champion An Se-young, eliminated Denmark with a 3-1 victory. Japan had previously swept Chinese Taipei 3-0 earlier on Friday.