Japan and Korea overpowered China and Thailand by identical 3-1 margins in the semi-finals of the ROBOT Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2017 yesterday.
China suffered the first loss of their campaign as they went down to Japan in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Chinese opted for non-regular combinations, with Zhang Nan partnering Chen Qingchen for the Mixed Doubles. The move seemed to work as they scored a 22-20 21-19 win over Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino in the opener.
However, Kenta Nishimoto beat Shi Yuqi in the Men’s Singles before Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda (featured image) fought past scratch combination Li Junhui/Zheng Siwei 21-16 16-21 21-16.
Akane Yamaguchi was far too experienced for Chen Yufei in the Women’s Singles and she gave Japan the winning point at 21-15 21-10.
The pattern was similar in the other semi-final between Korea and Thailand.
The Thais took the opening Mixed Doubles through Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai over Choi Solgyu/Kim Ha Na, 21-18 18-21 21-15.
Son Wan Ho equalised in Men’s Singles for Korea, beating Suppanyu Avihingsanon 18-21 21-7 21-19, before Kim Gi Jung/Yoo Yeon Seong shot past Nipitphon Phuangphuapet/Dechapol Puavaranukroh 23-21 21-17.
Sung Ji Hyun wrapped things up for Korea winning her Women’s Singles over Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-12 21-14.
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