WORLDS 2013 SF – China and Korea split the openers

China did not have to wait long for restitution after the loss of their Olympic champions in women’s doubles this afternoon at the Wang Lao Ji BWF World Badminton Championships in Guangzhou as Li Xuerui booked the nation’s first finals berth.

Photo: Badmintonphoto (live)

Li Xuerui banished all notions of Bae Yeon Ju (pictured) repeating her recent victories over the top seed.  Li needed less than half an hour to see Bae off to the tune of 21-5, 21-11.  It was actually the first time that Bae has faced a world #1 in a semi-final and not made it through, as she had done so twice already at the expense of Wang Yihan.

“It was obviously different this time because Li was playing on home ground, in China,” said Bae Yeon Ju afterward.  “The shuttles also seemed faster today than they have been but the big problem is that Li Xuerui herself is so fast.  I kept trying to push her to the back but she was still able to control the front court completely.

“From here, I just have to start over and rebuild.”

Li Xuerui now faces India Open champion and new world #3 Ratchanok Intanon in Sunday’s final.

Click here for complete semi-final results