Chequered passage, but Chinese reach final

China’s world No. 1-ranked Xie Xingfang downed South Korea’s Hwang Hye-youn 21-9, 21-19 in the opening match for China, who are seeking their seventh straight title in the elite women’s tournament. Lee Kyung-won and Lee Hyo-jung tied the score 1-1 with a 14-21, 21-17, 21-18 win in the first doubles match at Jakarta’s Istora Senayan Stadium.

But the favoured Chinese rallied when Lu Lan coasted to a 21-9, 21-12 win over Jang Soo-young, and China sealed the win thanks to a 21-19, 21-8 win by Wei Yili and Zhang Yawen in the second doubles match.

“There is a lot of pressure on us to win but that’s to be expected,” China coach Li Yongbo said.

Xie set the tone for China, relying on her superior reach and unforced errors by Hwang to cruise to an easy win the first game. Hwang fought back in the second but Xie erased a 19-17 deficit with four straight points to win the opening match in just 42 minutes.

In the Thomas Cup, defending champions China will play in Friday’s semi-finals against Malaysia.