Sudirman Cup: China through to their 11th consecutive final

YU Yang and TANg Yuanting won a pulsating doubles contest to help their side seal a place in the final

1.Men’s Doubles: Cai Yun/Hu Faiyeng(CHN) vs Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan(INA)

The Chinese pair got off to a fast start, taking an early 2-0 lead, but the duo of Setiawan and Ahsan made a strong comeback to eventually go 11-8 in front at the interval mark. The other side of the break saw the reigning Olympic champions make a fine comeback into the game, as they won 7 points on the trot to take a 15-13 lead.

But that's when Indonesia began a comeback of their own, winning the next 8 out of the 9 points to take the opening game 21-16.

The second game saw the Indonesian duo take an early 2-0 lead only for the Chinese to bounce to make 4-4 a few moments later,but it was the pair of Ahsan and Setiawan who once again went ahead at the stroke of break, taking an 11-9 lead.

After the break, the Indonesian pair continued to hold on to their advantage and at 18-13, looked to be cruising to a win. But Cai and Faiyeng aren't the Olympic champions for nothing and they forged a comeback to make it 19-16.

The Indonesian pair though held their nerve very well and won the 2 points they needed to clinch the win and give their side the early lead.

Final Scoreline: Mohammad Ahsan/ Hendra Setiawan(INA) beat Cai Yun/Hu Faiyeng(CHN) 21-16 21-17

2.Women’s Singles: Li Xuerui(CHN) vs Bellaetrix Manuputty(INA)

After the Men’s Doubles pairing had conceded the early lead, it was up to World No.1 Li Xuerui to bring her country back into the rubber. But it was Li who was trailing early at 4-2 when an unfortunate twist to Manuputty’s left knee forced her to halt the match.

After a small interruption, Manuputty was back to her feet but fell once again moments later which proved to be the last nail in the coffin for her as she had to retire hurt and hand the match to the numero one ranked player.

Final Scoreline: Li Xuerui(CHN) beat Bellaetrix Manuputty(retd.)(INA) 3-5

3.Men’s Singles: Chen Long(CHN) vs Jonatan Christie(INA)

After an unfortunate end to the women’s singles, it was time for Mens Singles action as World No.1 Chen Long faced the impressive 17-year-old Jonatan Christie. Both players began on equal terms taking one point each from the opening 2 points but it was Chen who took the lead soon after and never gave it back to Christie and went 11-6 in front at the break.

After the interval, the World No.1 continued the domination, never letting his younger opponent enter into the game at any point and took the opening game convincingly 21-10.

Although Christie put up a good fight at the start of the second game, the errors at the net cost him dearly and he went into the break, trailing 11-7. After the break, the Indonesian tried his level best to make comeback into the match, but at most times trailed the World No.1 by 3 points and eventually went down to the much superior Chen in straight games to hand China the decisive lead in the match.

Final Scoreline: Chen Long(CHN) beat Jonatan Christie(INA) 21-10 21-17

4.Women’s Doubles: Tang Yuanting/Yu Yang(CHN) vs Greysia Polii/Nitya Maheswari(INA)

If Indonesia needed to stay in contention for a spot in the final, they needed their doubles pair to beat the Chines duo of Tang Yuanting and Yu Yang. They certainly began the opening game well and took an 11-9 lead at the interval mark.

The Chinese through made a fine return into the match, winning the next 5 out of the 9 points to make 14-14. But the Indonesians fought their back into the match and thanks to some superb play, clinched 7 out the next 10 points to take the opening game 21-17.

The Chinese needed to make a comeback into the match and quickly and the second game saw them come out all guns blazing as they took a 6-3 early lead and eventually went 11-9 in front at the interval.

After the break, both pairs went head-on to seize the advantage and after a gripping game, it was the Chinese duo who took the game 21-17 to make it one game apiece.

The decider saw the Chinese take the early 2-0 lead only for the Indonesians to make it 2-2. But some fantastic play and judgement by the Chinese saw them go 11-6 in front at the break.

The cruise continued for China after the interval as weel as the Indonesians just found it difficult to get any sort of opening and eventually lost the game 15-21 to pave the way for China to enter their 11th successive Sudirman Cup final.

Final Scoreline: Tang Yuanting/Yu Yang beat Greysia Polii.Nitya Maheswari 17-21 21-17 21-15