Amid roaring cheers in Xiamen’s Maritime Centre, the hosts from the Chinese mainland kicked off their Sudirman Cup journey with a commanding 4-1 win over Thailand, sealing top spot in Group A and a place in the knockout rounds. As the defending champions, they demonstrated why they remain the team to beat.
The Chinese mainland mixed doubles duo Feng Yanzhe and Wei Yaxin set the tone with a solid 23-21, 21-11 victory over Teeraratsakul Pakkapon and Muenwong Phataimas. Next, Li Shifeng delivered an 85-minute thriller in men’s singles, edging Wangcharoen Kantaphon 21-18, 17-21, 21-13 to extend the hosts’ lead.
In women’s singles, world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi faced a fierce challenge from Intanon Ratchanok. After dropping the first set 19-21, Wang bounced back 21-13 before narrowly falling 21-23 in the decider. "She played very aggressively today," Wang said. "I hope this experience will drive me forward."
Comfort sealed the deal in both doubles lineups. Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang dominated men’s doubles 21-14, 21-14, while Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning cruised to a 21-11, 21-8 win in women’s doubles. Their combined performance handed the hosts a spot in the last 16.
Over in Group B, four-time champions South Korea overcame a hiccup in men’s singles to beat Chinese Taipei 4-1, clinching first place and highlighting the depth of competition at this year’s event.
With the knockout stage looming, all eyes turn to the Chinese mainland squad as they aim to defend their crown. Fans from across the globe will be watching — and cheering — as Xiamen shines on the world’s badminton stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
