China, Korea Enter Semi-finals – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 5 Session 2

Korea avenged their group defeat to Malaysia, while China once again eased past Germany in the quarter-finals of the Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup today.

Korea’s 3-1 win was set up by Men’s Doubles stars Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong (below), who reversed their previous defeat to Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong. The early part of the match was nearly identical to the previous match, with Goh and Tan setting a frenetic pace that the Koreans struggled to handle. After they edged the Malaysians out, however, Lee and Koo gradually reasserted themselves with Lee once again expertly controlling the proceedings. The luck of the net cord didn’t go Malaysia’s way either, and the Koreans comfortably pulled through 21-18 21-16.

“They changed the game plan, they were playing softer,” Tan said.

“We were confident after beating them in the group, but we have to improve our consistency. We have to play high quality every time. We were a bit unlucky in the second game and that affected us.”

Tee Jing Yi fought an inspired battle in the first game against Sung Ji Hyun in Women’s Singles. After 15-all, however, she fell behind, and withered early in the second, falling behind 0-7 and unable to challenge Sung (21-17 21-12).

Malaysia’s hopes were resurrected through Lee Chong Wei, who produced another masterclass in dismantling Son Wan Ho to keep his team alive in the contest.

The Malaysian showed no sign of rust despite being away from the game for eight months. Son matched him point for point through the first game, but at 17-all, Lee turned it around. Diving left and right to return certain winners, Lee frustrated Son into committing the final error and shot ahead to take the game. The distance grew in the second with Son unable to keep pace. Lee made it 1-2 with his 21-17 21-12 result.

“I’m satisfied with my game, although I’m still around 80 percent,” Lee said.

“We were down 0-2 after the first two matches but we had to keep fighting. I’m very grateful to the audience for the reception I got.”

Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei raised Malaysia’s hopes with a first-game win over Chang Ye Na/Jung Kyung Eun, but the Korean Women’s Doubles pair eventually proved too strong, 21-23 21-16 21-11.

China produced yet another authoritative display in dismissing Germany 3-0. Michael Fuchs and Birgit Michels were unable to stop Zhang Nan (featured image)/Zhao Yunlei and the hosts went up 1-0 in the Mixed Doubles in 35 minutes. Lin Dan walked in to thunderous applause and the home superstar duly completed the job for China by overpowering Marc Zwiebler 21-12 21-15, before Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan closed it out with equal ease against Michael Fuchs/Peter Kaesbauer in Men’s Doubles.

“It is very difficult to play Lin Dan and beat him in China,” said Zwiebler.

“I played a bit better than in my previous match but it wasn’t good enough. There was a bit of drift in the hall but with his experience and skill he was able to control the shuttle.  We did the best we could but we were unlucky to draw China in the quarter-finals.”

In group 2 play-offs, France edged past Singapore (3-2), Spain outclassed USA (3-1) and Canada proved too good for Brazil (3-1). It was the Women’s Doubles pair of Emilie Lefel and Anne Tran (above) that ensured victory for France, beating Elaine Chua/Vanessa Neo 20-22 21-16 21-12.

Sudirman Cup News

No Dearth of Quality – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Review

No Dearth of Quality – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Review

22 May 2015
Tenth Title for China – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Finals

Tenth Title for China – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Finals

17 May 2015
Japan in Maiden Sudirman Cup Final – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Semi-finals

Japan in Maiden Sudirman Cup Final – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Semi-finals

16 May 2015
Høyer: Innovation and Integrity Key Ingredients

Høyer: Innovation and Integrity Key Ingredients

16 May 2015
China Too Strong for Indonesia – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Semi-finals

China Too Strong for Indonesia – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Semi-finals

16 May 2015
Spotlight on Icons

Spotlight on Icons

16 May 2015
Hong Kong Emerge Group 2 Champions – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 6 Session 2

Hong Kong Emerge Group 2 Champions – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day...

16 May 2015
Japan Survive Danish Scare – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 6 Session 1

Japan Survive Danish Scare – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 6 Session...

15 May 2015
Sri Lanka Edge Past Israel – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 5 Session 1

Sri Lanka Edge Past Israel – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 5...

14 May 2015
Total and BWF Partnership Revs Up

Total and BWF Partnership Revs Up

14 May 2015
Spain beat Canada Despite Li’s Heroics – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 4 Session 2

Spain beat Canada Despite Li’s Heroics – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day...

14 May 2015
Malaysia to Face Korea Again – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Quarter-final Draw

Malaysia to Face Korea Again – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Quarter-final Draw

13 May 2015
Japan Too Strong for Chinese Taipei – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 3 Session 2

Japan Too Strong for Chinese Taipei – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day...

13 May 2015
Netherlands Down Spain – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 3 Session 1

Netherlands Down Spain – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 3 Session 1

12 May 2015
Indonesia, Malaysia Emerge Victorious – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 2 Session 2

Indonesia, Malaysia Emerge Victorious – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 2 Session...

12 May 2015
Thailand Stumble to Germany – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 2 Session 1

Thailand Stumble to Germany – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 2 Session...

11 May 2015
Malaysia Stun Korea – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 1 Session 2

Malaysia Stun Korea – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 1 Session 2

10 May 2015
Malaysia Stun Korea – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 1 Session 2

Malaysia Stun Korea – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 1 Session 2

10 May 2015
Singapore Survive Spanish Assault – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 1 Session 1

Singapore Survive Spanish Assault – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup Day 1 Session...

10 May 2015
Momota Sets Sights on Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup

Momota Sets Sights on Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup

9 May 2015
Intriguing Badminton in Dongguan – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup 2015

Intriguing Badminton in Dongguan – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup 2015

2 May 2015
Germans Open Versus Titans China – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup 2015

Germans Open Versus Titans China – Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup 2015

23 April 2015
China Grouped with Germany, Thailand: Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup 2015 – Draw Ceremony

China Grouped with Germany, Thailand: Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup 2015 – Draw...

16 March 2015
PARTNERS