In-form Chinese only a win away from retaining Sudirman Cup
>>China will vie for a record-extending 12th title in the Sudirman Cup after reaching their 14th consecutive final of the mixed team world championship in Finland yesterday.
The top-seeded Chinese defeated South Korea 3-0 in the semi-finals of the biennial tournament at the Energia Areena in Vantaa.
They will meet either Japan or Malaysia in today’s decider.
China beat Japan to win the 2019 championship in Nanning.
Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping took the first point for China after they beat South Korea’s Seo Seung-Jae and Shin Seung-Chan 21-14, 21-15 in the mixed doubles tie.
Former All England Open champion Shi Yuqi made it two wins out of two for the defending champions after he beat Heo Kwang-Hee 17-21, 21-9, 21-11 in the men’s singles rubber.
Olympic champion Chen Yufei then sealed the place in the final for the Chinese after rallying past An Se-Young in the women’s singles.
The Tokyo Games gold medallist Chen had a slow start as she dropped the first game 14-21. She fought back to win the next two 21-15, 21-15 to give the 11-time champions the victory.