Sweet 13th for China!

In China’s sixth Sudirman Cup title at home, and their 13th overall, was another lesson in handling pressure.

Having come through a trial by fire in their semifinal against Japan, China executed another perfect demonstration of handling the stress of playing a final in front of an expectant home crowd. They were tested by Korea, but they aced those tests before the tests turned into crisis.

There was, for instance, the opening match in which Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung had match point against Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong. The mixed doubles world champions, who survived game and match points in two previous matches, once again came up with the goods from 16-19 and match point down.

The crestfallen Koreans could barely mount a challenge in the third game.

Chen Yu Fei celebrates her win over An Se Young and China’s 13th title!

“We believed in each other. That was the main reason for our win,” said Zheng. “Without this crowd we couldn’t have won, they gave us the encouragement we needed. This is not the first match that we had to come back from match point down. We faced this situation a few times in this tournament, we had to save game points to win. This is a valuable experience for us, and we have to learn from it, on why we were down in the first place.”

Shi Yu Qi was favourite against the relative unknown Lee Yun Gyu, and although the Korean did make a commendable effort, the gulf in quality and experience were too high to surmount.

It was up to An Se Young, normally unflappable under pressure, to rescue Korea. Having beaten Chen Yu Fei in their last three matches, An had the edge; on the other hand, Chen, having lost in straight games to Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinal yesterday, was expected to be vulnerable.

The Olympic champion came up with a brilliantly controlled performance, preventing the long rallies at which An is adept; at opportune moments she pushed the pace and her smashes regularly homed in on the lines. There was a brief phase when An got her game going, and she whittled down Chen’s lead to come to within a couple of points at 16-18. Just when the game seemed set for a cracker of an ending, An played a couple of weak points, and Chen had the game in the bag.

The Korean was again playing catch-up in the second, and there was a flutter when she saved three match points to level at 20-all. Once again, with a cloud hovering, the Olympic champion stopped a developing crisis, leaving a distraught Korean in her wake.

China were champions for the 13th time!

“It was really hard, especially because this was at home, there were a lot of expectations and high pressure,” said CBA President Zhang Jun, who called this the most memorable team campaign he’d seen, particularly after the come-from-behind semifinal win.

“I believe that all teams were of the same high level. It was down to how the athletes play on court, and our players did great especially when they were down.”

Sudirman Cup News

One Point Too Far for Japan

One Point Too Far for Japan

21 May 2023
Flawless Korea Overcome Malaysian Challenge

Flawless Korea Overcome Malaysian Challenge

20 May 2023
Viktor Axelsen Retires with Injury

Viktor Axelsen Retires with Injury

19 May 2023
Captain Hoki Inspires Japan Revival

Captain Hoki Inspires Japan Revival

19 May 2023
Taekwondo Champ Li Shi Feng Aces Celebration

Taekwondo Champ Li Shi Feng Aces Celebration

18 May 2023
Cool Kunlavut Turns Tide for Thailand

Cool Kunlavut Turns Tide for Thailand

18 May 2023
Jeon Finds Spark in Korean Rout of Japan

Jeon Finds Spark in Korean Rout of Japan

17 May 2023
Malaysia Top ‘Group of Death’

Malaysia Top ‘Group of Death’

17 May 2023
An Opportunity Slips for Canada

An Opportunity Slips for Canada

16 May 2023
Sensational Goh Jin Wei Seals Tie for Malaysia

Sensational Goh Jin Wei Seals Tie for Malaysia

15 May 2023
Emotional Return to Birthplace for Adam Dong

Emotional Return to Birthplace for Adam Dong

15 May 2023
Axelsen Clears the Way for Denmark

Axelsen Clears the Way for Denmark

14 May 2023
Chinese Taipei Sail Through in Testy Waters

Chinese Taipei Sail Through in Testy Waters

14 May 2023
Where To Watch: TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023

Where To Watch: TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023

14 May 2023
Minnows Hope to Make a Mark

Minnows Hope to Make a Mark

13 May 2023
Back in Badminton Heartland!

Back in Badminton Heartland!

13 May 2023
Indonesians Seek to End Three-Decade Wait

Indonesians Seek to End Three-Decade Wait

12 May 2023
‘Fukuhiro’ High on Confidence After Dubai Win

‘Fukuhiro’ High on Confidence After Dubai Win

12 May 2023
The Sudirman Cup Story

The Sudirman Cup Story

12 May 2023
China Hold the Aces

China Hold the Aces

11 May 2023
Group D Preview: Japan, Korea Will be Wary of France

Group D Preview: Japan, Korea Will be Wary of France

11 May 2023
Group C Preview: The Group of Death?

Group C Preview: The Group of Death?

5 May 2023
Minions in Indonesia’s Sudirman Cup Squad

Minions in Indonesia’s Sudirman Cup Squad

2 May 2023
Group B Preview: Tunjung’s Form Bodes Well for Indonesia

Group B Preview: Tunjung’s Form Bodes Well for Indonesia

21 April 2023
Group A Preview: Decisive Denmark-Singapore Clash

Group A Preview: Decisive Denmark-Singapore Clash

14 April 2023
Fast-Rising Duo Give Edge to India’s Hopes

Fast-Rising Duo Give Edge to India’s Hopes

13 April 2023
Sudirman Cup: Malaysia, Chinese Taipei in Tricky Group C

Sudirman Cup: Malaysia, Chinese Taipei in Tricky Group C

25 March 2023
Sudirman Cup: Egypt, Singapore Among Participating Teams

Sudirman Cup: Egypt, Singapore Among Participating Teams

8 March 2023
Pan American Cup: Canada Cruise to Title

Pan American Cup: Canada Cruise to Title

21 February 2023
Asia Mixed Team Championship: China Reign Again

Asia Mixed Team Championship: China Reign Again

20 February 2023
Oceania Mixed Team Championships: Australia Breeze Through

Oceania Mixed Team Championships: Australia Breeze Through

19 February 2023
European Mixed Team Championships: Denmark Survive Torrid Test

European Mixed Team Championships: Denmark Survive Torrid Test

19 February 2023
Africa Mixed Team Championships: Egypt Roar Back to Retain Crown

Africa Mixed Team Championships: Egypt Roar Back to Retain Crown

17 February 2023
PARTNERS