As It Happened CHN vs JPN – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Hosts China dominated the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019 final in somewhat surprising fashion with Japan unable to silence the crowd as the first three Chinese representatives played inspired badminton to continue China’s stranglehold on the title.

Only five times in 16 editions of the tournament have they not hoisted the trophy.

Playing in their 13th consecutive final, the home nation took the first match in emphatic fashion with men’s doubles world champions Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen proving too good for Hiroyuki Endo/Yuta Watanabe.

Just 10 minutes into the match and rallies of up to 72 shots long set the tone for what was to come. The Chinese took the advantage at 11-7 in the first game and were persistent in their attack. Matched with the thunderous cheers of a passionate home crowd, the Chinese broke down the Japanese wall and prevailed 21-18 21-10 in 54 minutes.

If ever a doubles match was dominated by one player it was this one as Liu Yuchen raised his game to the next level and produced an unstoppable display of dynamic attack with impeccable defence.

Liu said afterward: “We played in four of the five ties this week and remained undefeated. This is for sure an assurance for us. We had to overcome different difficulties in our matches. This has definitely improved our ability to adapt in big match situations.”

Chen Yufei then made it 2-0 for China with an epic 17-21 21-16 21-17 victory over Akane Yamaguchi in one of the matches of the week. It was a seesawing battle across 81 minutes with both players holding the ascendency at different stages of the match and then relinquishing it under pressure.

An erratic Yamaguchi led 10-6 in the first game before conceding eight consecutive points to hand Chen the lead at 14-10. Yamaguchi consolidated to square it at 15-15 only for herself to reel off six straight points to take the first game.

She again seemed to go into her shell in the opening exchanges of the second game trailing 5-1 and 7-2 before rallying to go 10-9 up with Chen succumbing to the enormity of the moment.

However, the unforced errors continued from Yamaguchi’s racket and the less-experienced Chen was finally able to capitalise to open up a 16-11 lead. It was at this point the quality of the contest went up a notch with both players putting on a spectacle. Chen was able to close out the second game 21-16.

The twists and turns did not end there. It seemed as if fatigue had set in for Chen in the third as she went down 11-6. But she returned from the mid-game break with renewed vigour to win six straight points and nine of the next 11 to go up 15-13.

Yamaguchi continued to fight but with the home crowd on her side Chen pulled away to record a famous victory.

“I felt I played a bit slow in the beginning of the third game which caused me to waste a lot of energy. I couldn’t keep up with her but at the break I changed my game strategy and I took the lead,” said an exhausted Chen on her decisive move.

A disappointed Yamaguchi added: “I made a lot of errors on serve but I was also forced into a lot of mistakes by my opponent.”

Before today, world No. 1 Kento Momota had never been beaten across 17 Sudirman Cup and Thomas Cup matches. And with everything to play for, it looked like Momota could save the day for Japan after a convincing 21-15 win in the opener.

But that record ended in authority as Shi Yuqi found form beyond anything else witnessed this week as he sealed the tie 15-21 21-5 21-11 in 69 minutes for just his second win in six matches against Momota.

In an effort up there with Liu earlier, Yuqi increased the speed of his play and won 11 successive points in the third game to deflate any hopes of a Japanese revival.

Shi said of the contest: “I played badly in the first game. I am surprised I won the second and third game so easily. It’s really unexpected.“I won in 21-5 and 21-11. This would not have happened if he had played his usual game.

“Maybe he was affected by the fact that Japan was 2-0 behind, coupled with the pressure I put on him. I think this resulted in the unusual scoreline.”

Sudirman Cup News

Sudirman Cup: The Most Thrilling Battles

Sudirman Cup: The Most Thrilling Battles

5 June 2019
Stars Who Shone; Those Who Didn’t

Stars Who Shone; Those Who Didn’t

4 June 2019
Key Moments: Chen vs. Yamaguchi – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Key Moments: Chen vs. Yamaguchi – Sudirman Cup ‘19

30 May 2019
Slovakia Daring to Dream – Sudirman Cup ’19

Slovakia Daring to Dream – Sudirman Cup ’19

28 May 2019
Key Moments: Shi vs. Momota – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Key Moments: Shi vs. Momota – Sudirman Cup ‘19

28 May 2019
Celebrations and Concessions – Sudirman Cup ’19

Celebrations and Concessions – Sudirman Cup ’19

26 May 2019
China’s Young Heroes Reclaim Title – Sudirman Cup ’19

China’s Young Heroes Reclaim Title – Sudirman Cup ’19

26 May 2019
Park: We’re Going All Out! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Park: We’re Going All Out! – Sudirman Cup ’19

25 May 2019
Big Guns Boom for China – Sudirman Cup ’19

Big Guns Boom for China – Sudirman Cup ’19

25 May 2019
Brilliant Canada Top Group 2 – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Brilliant Canada Top Group 2 – Sudirman Cup ‘19

25 May 2019
Indonesia Hobble Past Chinese Taipei – Sudirman Cup ’19

Indonesia Hobble Past Chinese Taipei – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Japan Stay on Track – Sudirman Cup ’19

Japan Stay on Track – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Jonassen: Young Generation ‘Hungry’ – Sudirman Cup ’19

Jonassen: Young Generation ‘Hungry’ – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Another Teen Star in the Making – Sudirman Cup ’19

Another Teen Star in the Making – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
China Coast into Semis – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Coast into Semis – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Defending Champs Trip Over Thailand – Sudirman Cup ’19

Defending Champs Trip Over Thailand – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Netherlands Fight Back From Brink – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Netherlands Fight Back From Brink – Sudirman Cup ‘19

23 May 2019
Rankireddy Impressive in Comeback from Fracture

Rankireddy Impressive in Comeback from Fracture

23 May 2019
Final Eight Draw – Sudirman Cup ’19

Final Eight Draw – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Danes Deliver! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Danes Deliver! – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Korea Beat Chinese Taipei, Top Group – Sudirman Cup ’19

Korea Beat Chinese Taipei, Top Group – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
No Stopping An Se Young! – Sudirman Cup ’19

No Stopping An Se Young! – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Israeli Youngster Embracing the Big Stage – Sudirman Cup ’19

Israeli Youngster Embracing the Big Stage – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Thailand Thwart Russia – Sudirman Cup ’19

Thailand Thwart Russia – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Pathway to Success for Kazakhstan – Sudirman Cup ’19

Pathway to Success for Kazakhstan – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Malaysia Edge Past India – Sudirman Cup ’19

Malaysia Edge Past India – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Continental Conquest! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Continental Conquest! – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
Korea into Quarters – Sudirman Cup ’19

Korea into Quarters – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
China Club Stint Powers Malkov – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Club Stint Powers Malkov – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
Wake-Up Call for Japan – Sudirman Cup ’19

Wake-Up Call for Japan – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
‘Greatest moment ever’ says Greenland – Sudirman Cup ’19

‘Greatest moment ever’ says Greenland – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
China Brush Off Scare – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Brush Off Scare – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Iris Wang Unable to Resist Badminton’s Lure – Sudirman Cup ’19

Iris Wang Unable to Resist Badminton’s Lure – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Thrilling Win for Canada – Sudirman Cup ’19

Thrilling Win for Canada – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Learning Curve for Nepal – Sudirman Cup ’19

Learning Curve for Nepal – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Mixed Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Mixed Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

19 May 2019
Speaking Their Minds – Sudirman Cup ’19

Speaking Their Minds – Sudirman Cup ’19

18 May 2019
Women’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Women’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

18 May 2019
Denmark in Transition Phase – Sudirman Cup ’19

Denmark in Transition Phase – Sudirman Cup ’19

18 May 2019
Indonesia Hold the Aces in Group 1B

Indonesia Hold the Aces in Group 1B

17 May 2019
Final Preparations on Sudirman Cup Eve

Final Preparations on Sudirman Cup Eve

16 May 2019
India-Malaysia Duel Likely to Decide Group 1D

India-Malaysia Duel Likely to Decide Group 1D

15 May 2019
A Twist in the Tale – Sudirman Cup in the 2010s

A Twist in the Tale – Sudirman Cup in the 2010s

15 May 2019
Men’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Men’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

14 May 2019
Spotlight On Canada-Germany Clash

Spotlight On Canada-Germany Clash

11 May 2019
Women’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Women’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

10 May 2019
Tight Contest Expected between Netherlands, France

Tight Contest Expected between Netherlands, France

9 May 2019
Sung’s Pullout a Setback for Korea in Group 1C

Sung’s Pullout a Setback for Korea in Group 1C

8 May 2019
The Clash of Powerhouses – Sudirman Cup in the 90s

The Clash of Powerhouses – Sudirman Cup in the 90s

7 May 2019
Glory on Home Soil – Sudirman Cup ’89

Glory on Home Soil – Sudirman Cup ’89

3 May 2019
Men’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Men’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

2 May 2019
Spotlight on Japan, China – Sudirman Cup ’19

Spotlight on Japan, China – Sudirman Cup ’19

30 April 2019
Chinese Taipei Can Go Far – Sudirman Cup ’19

Chinese Taipei Can Go Far – Sudirman Cup ’19

27 April 2019
Everybody Wants to Beat Japan, Says Okuhara

Everybody Wants to Beat Japan, Says Okuhara

26 April 2019
Title Triumph Not Far Away, Says Nehwal

Title Triumph Not Far Away, Says Nehwal

25 April 2019
Loh Looks Forward to Team Challenge

Loh Looks Forward to Team Challenge

24 April 2019
‘Team Spirit and Self-Belief are Important’: Wong Choong Hann

‘Team Spirit and Self-Belief are Important’: Wong Choong Hann

23 April 2019
China’s Trump Cards – Zheng & Huang

China’s Trump Cards – Zheng & Huang

22 April 2019
Intanon Optimistic About Thailand’s Chances

Intanon Optimistic About Thailand’s Chances

21 April 2019
Kidambi Keen to Lead India to Team Glory

Kidambi Keen to Lead India to Team Glory

20 April 2019
Month-Long Countdown Begins for Sudirman Cup

Month-Long Countdown Begins for Sudirman Cup

19 April 2019
‘Looking to Convert Pressure into Motivation’: Zhang Jun

‘Looking to Convert Pressure into Motivation’: Zhang Jun

19 April 2019
Setback for Korea’s Sudirman Cup Preparations

Setback for Korea’s Sudirman Cup Preparations

25 March 2019

Early Test for Hosts China: Sudirman Cup Draw

19 March 2019
Japan Get Top Billing – Sudirman Cup

Japan Get Top Billing – Sudirman Cup

11 March 2019
Hosts Ready as Sudirman Cup Countdown Begins

Hosts Ready as Sudirman Cup Countdown Begins

20 February 2019
Sudirman Cup Attracts 32 Entries

Sudirman Cup Attracts 32 Entries

18 February 2019
GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

11 February 2019
Sudirman Cup the Final Frontier for Park

Sudirman Cup the Final Frontier for Park

25 January 2019
PARTNERS