UBER CUP 2012 SF – China’s time for revenge

China, as expected, joined Korea for a remake of the 2010 final, easily disposing of the Thai team, which were playing in Wuhan their first ever semi-final in the Uber Cup competition. No one seems to be able to make a dent in China’s great wall, as the top seeds are eagerly seeking revenge for their bitter defeat two years ago.

By Tarek Hafi. Photos (live): Badmintonphoto

World number one Wang Yihan, stepped very fiercely onto court, playing against the dangerous junior Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand. Despite her being a leader of the Thai team, the seventeen-year-old Intanon couldn’t cope with the pressure sent by Wang Yihan, adding constant pace to the game, helped by very strong attacks from the back of court.

Still, the Thai player, displayed her highly skilled touch throughout the match, often misleading her opponent and even applauded by the Chinese crowd, who appreciated the wonderful game offered by the two shuttlers. However, the young Thai did not have enough to bring down the main contender for the Olympic gold, Wang Yihan, known for her never-give-up attitude and very strong will. The Chinese assaulted her opponent with lethal attacks to take the first match in favour of China, 21-18, 21-15.

The almost unbeatable Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang entered the court with all smiles, waving at the crowd, delivering, once again the incredible aura they’ve had since pairing together, as being one of the best women’s double pairs the world has had, certainly since Gao Ling / Huang Sui and Yang Wei / Zhang Jiewen. Their victims of the day were Duanganong Aroonkesorn and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul, a usually very dangerous pair, but with no abilities today to overcome the Chinese great wall. The two chinese ladies dominated every part of the match, even allowing themselves a few rallies without attacks. It took half an hour to conclude their semi-final match, 21-16, 21-12, leaving it to Wang Xin to finish off the overall tie.

Wang Xin, the player who stunned the world not so long ago, coming from nowhere, beating with incredible ease anyone on her road, had not seemed to be playing her best in the last few months, lacking her usual speed and mostly her confidence. On court on Thursday, however , the constantly smiling Chinese player humiliated Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in front of her compatriots.

The talented young Thai did try her very best in the first game, even showed her fist, a rare sight from the usually very silent and focused 20-year-old. Still, the confident Wang Xin gave the world a glimpse of what she could do when on top of her game. The left-hander completely outmanoeuvred her opponent, finding every corner and showing her repertoire of shots to perfection. A pretty close first game wasn’t enough for the twenty-six years old player, who literally trashed Porntip in the second game, giving her only two points with which to salvage any dignity. With Wang ending the match and the entire encounter on a 21-17, 21-2 victory, the Chinese team is now all set to meet their Korean rivals on Saturday afternoon with the intent to keep the trophy on Chinese soil for another two years.

Results
China 3, Thailand 0
WS1: Wang Yihan (CHN) bt Ratchanok Intanon (THA) 21-18, 21-15
WD1: Wang Xiaoli / Yu Yang (CHN) bt Duanganong Aroonkesorn / Kunchala Voravichitchaikul (THA) 21-16, 21-12
WS2: Wang Xin (CHN) bt Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (THA) 21-17, 21-2
(not played)
WD2: Tian Qing / Zhao Yunlai (CHN) vs Sapsiree Taerattanachai / Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA)
WS3: Li Xuerui (CHN) vs Nichaon Jindapon (THA)