China sweep Thailand from Sudirman Cup

China sweep Thailand from Sudirman Cup

Ten-time champs prove unstoppable despite some drama in men's singles

Kantaphon Wangcharoen punched above his weight in his singles match before falling to Shi Yuqi in the Sudirman Cup semi finals on Saturday in Nanning. (BWF Photo)
Kantaphon Wangcharoen punched above his weight in his singles match before falling to Shi Yuqi in the Sudirman Cup semi finals on Saturday in Nanning. (BWF Photo)

NANNING, China: Hosts China closed in on an 11th Sudirman Cup title as they ruthlessly dismantled Thailand to reach Sunday’s final of the mixed-team badminton world championship.

China’s comfortable 3-0 victory sets them up for a tournament decider against top seeds Japan or Indonesia, who play their semi-final later on Saturday.

In Saturday’s opening match, the Thai mixed-doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai fell in straight sets (21-18, 21-7) to Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong.

The men’s singles match featured plenty of drama, though, as Kantaphon Wangcharoen squandered three opportunities to clinch the second game and force a decider against Shi Yuqi.

But the Chinese star held his nerve before closing out victory 21-15, 26-24 to thrill the home crowd.

“It was a very tough second game,” said Shi, who was beaten in last year’s world championship final by Kento Momota.

In the men’s doubles, Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen prevailed 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) over Tinn Isriyanet and Kittinupong Kedren.

That gave the Chinese a 3-0 sweep in the best-of-five contest and made the final two matches, the women’s doubles and singles, unnecessary. World No.7 Ratchanok Inthanon had been drawn against Chen Yufei in the singles match.

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