China continued its reign in the Sudirman Cup, securing a commanding 3-0 victory against Japan in the semifinals.
With this win, the defending champions inch closer to their 14th title in the prestigious biennial mixed-team badminton tournament.
The clash began with China’s mixed doubles duo Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping, who swiftly defeated Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi (21-11, 21-17), setting the tone for the evening. Following their lead, Shi Yuqi, the top seed in men’s singles, delivered an emphatic performance against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, winning 21-8, 21-16.
Japan fought back in the women’s singles, where Akane Yamaguchi, known for her resilience, forced Chen Yufei into a three-game battle. However, Chen kept her composure, rallying back to claim victory (17-21, 21-9, 21-16).
With this triumph, China now awaits the winner of the semifinal between South Korea and Indonesia, as the team looks to extend its legacy in badminton’s mixed-team championship.
