Defending champions Korea entered the Mixed Team final of the Universiade Gwangju 2015, whitewashing Malaysia 3-0.
The hosts take on China in the final later today.
Korea were barely threatened by Malaysia in their semi-final. The Men’s Doubles pair of Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang had some trouble in their opening game against Juan Shen Low/Kuldip Singh, but gave Korea the lead in straight games: 22-20 21-18.
Malaysia could not fight back from that point as Sylvia Kumares went down 21-4 21-7 to Kim Hyo Min in Women’s Singles and Mohamad Arif Abdul Latif was outplayed 21-16 21-18 by Jeon Hyeok Jin (above) in Men’s Singles.
The China-Thailand semi-final was far closer. Thailand had their chances, but lost out at crucial moments. China grabbed the lead in Mixed Doubles through Wang Yilv (featured image)/Yu Xiaohan over Nipitphon Puangpuapech/Chayanit Chaladchalam, 20-22 21-13 21-12.
Thailand stormed back into the tie through Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, who held off a spirited challenge from Qiao Bin in Men’s Singles: 21-16 16-21 21-17.
Thailand were expected to have the advantage in Men’s Doubles, with Bodin Issara and Nipitphon Puangpuapech taking on Zhang Wen/Wang Yilv. However, the Chinese pair completely dominated them: 21-19 21-12.
Busanan Ongbumrungpan then lost the Women’s Singles to Hui Xirui (left) by the narrowest of margins, 22-20 22-20, helping China clinch the spot in the final.
In yesterday’s quarter-finals, Thailand beat Chinese Taipei 3-2; Korea beat Germany 3-0; China beat Japan 3-0 and Malaysia beat Indonesia 3-2.
India and Great Britain made the L2 final for the second-placed teams of the eight groups. India narrowly beat France 3-2, with Maneesha K/Meghana Jakkampudi clinching a narrow 21-11 17-21 21-18 win over Lorraine Baumann/Marie Batomene in the Women’s Doubles.
Great Britain overcame Russia in a closely-fought tie, 3-1. The crucial point came in the third match, with teams tied 1-1. Martin Robert Campbell/Patrick Robin Machugh edged ahead of Nikita Khakimov/Vasily Kuznetsov 16-21 21-14 25-23 to swing the advantage Great Britain’s way; Chloe Francesca Birch ensured the third point in Women’s Singles beating Viktoriia Dergunova 21-13 22-20.
Switzerland and Hong Kong entered the L3 final beating USA and Uganda by identical 3-0 margins.
For the day’s results, click here.
Text by Dev Sukumar | Badmintonphoto
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