Defending champions China stormed past Maldives 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the Asian Games women’s badminton team event this morning. The Chinese players had it easy today and will face their first real test in of their title defence when they battle Thailand in the semi-finals tomorrow.
The other semi-final battle will be between hosts Indonesia and last Asian Games bronze medallists, Japan, tomorrow. Indonesia knocked out Incheon silver medallists, Korea 3-1 while Japan sent India out with a similar scoreline.
The Thais, the current Uber Cup runners-up, displayed superb form as they worked their way past Chinese Taipei this morning. Singles ace Ratchanok Inthanon sent Thailand’s spirits soaring when she laboured past Tai Tzuying 21-18, 21-18 in a thrilling first tie.
Thailand followed up with another hard-earned victory when Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai made it past Hsu Ya Ching-Wu Ti Jung 22-20, 19-21, 21-13. Nitchaon Jindapol came on next and confidently brushed aside Pai Yu Po 21-18, 21-16 to settle the match and confirm their place in the semis.
“After Ratchanok won, it fired up our players. It was a crucial start which we needed. I was happy to have contributed but now we have to work really hard in the semi-finals. There is no doubt it will be tough against China but we will attempt out best. The Uber Cup experience will help us,” said Nitchaon.
The match between Japan and India, also a bronze medallist in Incheon four years ago, turned out to be a massive battle. Pusarla V. Sindhu overcame Akane Yamaguchi to give India a head start. But Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota were too strong for Reddy N. Sikki-Arathi Sara Sunil and Japan were soon back on level terms.
In a closely contested encounter, Nozomi Okuhara had to dig deep into her reserves to down Saina Nehwal in three games, winning 21-11, 23-25, 21-16 to provide Japan with a crucial point. Masaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi prevailed against vs Ashwini Ponnappa-Sindhu 21-13, 21-12 to secure their place in the next stage.
Indonesia claimed the final semi-final slot after a massive battle against Korea. The home side shot to a 2-0 lead thanks to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu but Fitriani was unable to seal the win when she went down to Lee Se Yeon.
It was then left to Delia Destiara Haris-Rizki Amelia Pradipta to try and collect the all-important winning point. They rallied past Baek Ha Na-Kim Hye Rin 21-19 in the first game and were caught up in tough point-for-point showdown up to the halfway stage of the second game. The Indonesians soon picked up the pace and wrested the game with 21-15 win.
The men’s team quarterfinals will take place this afternoon.
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
Women (Morning Session)
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Indonesia bt Korea 3-1
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung bt Sung Ji Hyun 21-13, 8-21, 21-18
Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu bt Lee So Hee-Shin Seung Chan 21-18, 21-17
Fitriani lost to Lee Se Yeon 14-21, 21-8, 12-21
Delia Destiara Haris-Rizki Amelia Pradipta bt Baek Ha Na-Kim Hye Rin 21-19, 21-15
Thailand bt Chinese Taipei 3-0
Ratchanok Inthanon bt Tai Tzuying 21-18, 21-18
Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai bt Hsu Ya Ching-Wu Ti Jung 22-20, 19-21, 21-13
Nitchaon Jindapol bt Pai Yu Po 21-18, 21-16
China bt Maldives 3-0
Chen Yufei bt Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq 21-2, 21-3
He Bingjiao bt Moosa Aminath Shahurunaz 21-6, 21-3
Gao Fangjie bt Neela Najeeb 21-5, 21-9
Japan bt India 3-1
Akane Yamaguchi lost to Pusarla V. Sindhu 18-21, 19-21
Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota vs Reddy N. Sikki-Arathi Sara Sunil 21-15, 21-6
Nozomi Okuhara bt Saina Nehwal 21-11, 23-25, 21-16
Masaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi vs Ashwini Ponnappa-Pusarla V. Sindhu 21-13, 21-12
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QUARTERFINALS
Men (Evening Session)
China vs Hong Kong China
Chinese Taipei vs Nepal
Korea vs Japan
India vs Indonesia
