Badminton, Thomas & Uber Cup 2024: Indonesia to face hosts China in both men’s and women’s

China’s men seek to avenge 2020 final defeat

Shi Yuqi set China on their way against Malaysia by beating Lee Zii Jia in straight games. Shi won a tight opener 21-19 before winning the first six points of the second as Lee struggled badly with the drift. The world number two was inspired as he went 11-1 up at the mid-game interval before closing it out 21-5 to take his record to 13 wins from 14 Thomas Cup rubbers.

Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik put Malaysia on the board as they came from a game down to defeat world number ones Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang. The 2022 world champions were inspired in defence at times, but could not stop the recent Badminton Asia champions from easing to the first game 21-15.

Chia and Soh were better able to blunt the Chinese attacking power in the second, taking it 21-12, and went 10-5 up in the decider. Liang and Wang won the next six points without reply to go into the changeover in front, but it was nip and tuck after that with the teams tied at 17-17. The Malaysians won the next two points before a fortunate net cord set up three match points. They only needed one as Wang, whose level dropped significantly after the first game, netted a smash.

The second singles clash followed a similar pattern to the first. Li Shifeng just prevailed in the opening game against Leong Jun Hao before going 11-0 up in the second after the change of ends. Leong did provide some resistance after the interval, but Li won 21-17, 21-10 to put China 2-1 ahead.

With the chance to win the tie for China, He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu looked distinctly nervous at times during their match against Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin. The Malaysians silenced the home fans as they took the first game 21-19 in 19 minutes.

There was more concern in the stands as Goh and Izzuddin went 5-2 up in the second, but the Chinese rallied to secure eight of the next 10 points before taking an 11-9 lead into the mid-game interval. Back came the Malaysian duo, winning six out of eight points to go 14-12 ahead. But He and Ren managed to take the second 21-19.

The Chinese pair led 12-11 shortly after the final changeover and, galvanised by the crowd, pulled clear. Their speed at the net was too great for Goh and Izzuddin as they took the decider 21-12 to secure China a 3-1 victory.

Malaysia’s 32-year-long Thomas Cup drought continues, but China are now one win away from a first title since 2018.

China and Indonesia met in the 2020 final in Aarhus, Denmark with Ginting, Alfian and Ardianto, and Christie securing a 3-0 victory. The four men will hope for a repeat on Sunday and a record 15th crown.