Chen Yufei during the competition. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]
The Chinese women's badminton squad cruised into its 20th Uber Cup final by beating Japan 3-0 in semifinals on Saturday for a record-extending 16th title at the world women's team championship.
Reigning Olympic champion and world No 2 Chen Yufei got the host team off to a flying start in the opening singles battle by dominating Japan's 11th-ranked Aya Ohori, 21-18, 21-15, in 46 minutes, whilst being cheered on by a rousing crowd at the High-Tech Zone Sports Center in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province.
Chen Yufei during the competition. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]
A following doubles win secured by China's world No 1 pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan against Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, despite a first-set scare, put Team China in the driver's seat, before world No 6 He Bingjiao clinched the host's ticket to the final by routing Nozomi Okuhara in straight sets in just 41 minutes.
China's comfortable win, however, needs to be put into perspective as Japan dropped its leading singles star Akane Yamaguchi on the semifinal roster due to the world No 4's poor form during the group stage.
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan celebrate during the competition. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]
The victory over Japan was much tougher than what the score might have suggested as Team China relishes the mental and physical tests competing in the team format as a valuable drill for the Paris Olympics.
"My opponent today never gave up, she kept giving me trouble especially halfway into the first set. It was a tough grind for both of us," Chen Yufei said during the mixed-zone interview after her match on Saturday.
"I wasn't able to stay patient while she rallied back strong, losing my composure at a few points, losing control of my shots. This is where I need to improve in the following matches," she said of the takeaways from her 13th consecutive win against Ohori.
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan celebrate during the competition. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]
In the following doubles matchup, the host pair of Chen Qingchen and Jia had to overcome a much stiffer challenge as they rallied back from a first set down and a 12-18 deficit in the deciding set to eventually outlast the Japan duo 14-21, 21-13, 23-21 in a nail-biting win.
Chen Qingchen, who burst into tears while sitting on the court after Japan's final shot landed wide, said the emotional toll of such a high-stakes battle was exhausting.
He Bingjiao during the competition. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/China Daily]
"We ran out of gas at the final point and it was a huge relief knowing that we kept the team's lead collectively by completing our part," said Chen Qingchen.
"We prevailed counting on our never-give-up spirit no matter how far we fell behind in the scores. The fight we had when we were playing on the verge (of a loss) carried us through. It was a great test for the next match," said Jia.
Team China, as the most successful program in the biannual championship's history with 15 titles, will compete for its 16th Uber Cup trophy on Sunday against Indonesia, who stunned defending champion South Korea 3-2 in another semi clash on Saturday.
