South Korea shocked China to lift their fourth Sudirman Cup title.

S. Korea lift Sudirman Cup with shock win

Feels good: South Korea head coach Kang Kyung-jin hoisting the Sudirman Cup after his side beat China 3-2 in the final yesterday. — AFP

 

PETALING JAYA: South Korea shocked China to lift their fourth Sudirman Cup title.

Yesterday, South Korea rode on the strength of their women shuttlers to beat 10-time champions China with a 3-2 win in a thrilling final at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre in Australia.

South Korea lost their opening match when Choi Sol-gyu-Seo Seung-jae went down 14-21, 15-21 to Rio Olympic champions Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan in the men’s doubles.

But the South Koreans drew level when Sung Ji-hyun whipped He Bingjiao 21-12, 21-16 in the women’s singles.

China struck back through Olympic champion Chen Long in the men’s singles. He took 47 minutes to beat youngster Jeon Hyeok-jin 21-10, 21-10 to put China 2-1 up.

It all pointed to a victory for China as next up were their top women’s doubles pair Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan, the World Superseries Finals champions. But Qingchen-Yifan were surprisingly floored 19-21, 13-21 by Chang Yee-na-Lee So-hee.

China then had another chance to seal the title – this time through their mixed doubles stars Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong.

But Lu Kai-Yaqiong, the winners of four international titles this year, wilted under pressure and went down 17-21, 13-21 to world No. 12 Sol-gyu-Chae Yoo-jung in the decider.

South Korea’s other victories in the world mixed team tournament were in 2003, 1993 and 1991.

FINAL RESULT
South Korea bt China 3-2 (Choi Solgyu-Seo Seung-jae lost to Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan 14-21, 15-21; Sung Ji-hyun bt He Bingjiao 21- 12, 21-16; Jeon Hyeok-jin lost to Chen Long 10-21, 10-21; Chang Ye-na-Lee So-hee bt Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan 21-19, 21-13; Choi Solgyu-Chae Yoo-jung bt Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong 21-17, 21-13).

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