The Chinese world number ones saved a match point to make it 29 consecutive wins.
Zheng Siwei/ Huang Yaqiong are one tantalising win away from lifting their sixth consecutive title in two months. The duo, after a brief stint with different partners following their finals loss in Tokyo, have been untouchable.
Interestingly, an unheralded pair found themselves a single point away from upsetting the all-conquering Chinese yesterday. With two walkovers earlier in the tournament, Yang Po Hsuan/ Hu Liang Fang unexpectedly found themselves in the semifinals but duly rose to the occasion.
The accumulated fatigue, Po Hsuan’s thunderous smashes, and the pressure as the overwhelming favourites - together resulted in a much closer contest for the Chinese than anyone could have predicted. Indeed, they lost the first game and could never establish a clear dominance over the proceedings, despite being much higher-ranked. In the end, greater experience in tense situations and some luck saw them through 20-22, 21-16, 22-20.
Indonesians continue to impress
The badminton powerhouse will contest three finals, with an assured victory in men’s doubles. It will be a fourth battle between the Daddies Mohammad Ahsan/ Hendra Setiawan and in-form juniors Fajar Alfian/ Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
The rising star Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo saved a match point against Lu Guangzu to complete the comeback 20-22, 23-21, 21-19 in 88 minutes. He will face an inspired Ng Ka Long Angus, who overcame HS Prannoy 17-21, 21-9, 21-17. Likewise, Wardoyo’s compatriots Rinov Rivaldy/ Pitha Haningtyas Mentari bested the Thais Supak Jomkoh/ Supissara Paewsampran 18-21, 21-10, 21-15.
Battle of the achievers
The two most accomplished women’s doubles pairs in 2022 will square off for the third time this year. With three titles each, the Chinese Chen Qingchen/ Jia Yifan and the Japanese Nami Matsuyama/ Chiharu Shida will contest for a fourth title. They won their semifinals matches in impressive straight games.
Can An Se Young deliver?
The last time An Se Young took on the Olympic champion Chen Yufei, it became an iconic moment in the world of sports. The youngster did set up three match points against her flagging opponent. Unable to stand and still persisting through cramps, the Korean put her heart out to see her country through to the perfect start. However, it was not enough.
Nevertheless, pumped on by their victory over Japan and motivated by their “younger sister’s” perseverance, Korea lifted the Uber Cup trophy. Today, An Se Young was technically better than Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, winning 21-18, 13-21, 21-8. On the other hand, Chen Yufei benefitted from a ran-out-of-steam Tai Tzu Ying 21-13, 23-21.
Can An Se Young record her first-ever win in eight meetings over Chen Yufei today?