PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles shuttlers Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee survived a gruelling battle to help South Korea set up a meeting against China in the Sudirman Cup final.
With a gripping last four tie against Indonesia locked at 2-2, world No. 3 Ha-na-So-hee fought hard to overcome scratch pair Siti Fadia Ramadhanti-Amallia Cahaya 21-10, 18-21, 21-15 in 91 minutes in the deciding match at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium in China on Saturday (May 3).
Earlier, Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung beat Dejan Ferdinansyah-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti 21-10, 21-15 in the mixed doubles to give the Koreans a good start.
In the men’s singles, Alwi Farhan though came from behind to beat Cho Geon-yeop 16-21, 21-8, 21-8 to draw Indonesia level.
World No. 1 An Se-young then gave Korea the lead again after ousting world No. 11 Putri Kusuma 21-18, 21-12 in the women’s singles.
Seung-jae then hoped to give his team the winning point in the men’s doubles with Kim Won-ho, but narrowly went down 18-21, 21-13, 23-25 to Shohibul Fkri-Bagas Maulana in a thrilling 68-minute match.
Ha-na-So-hee, though, ensured that Korea emerged victorious in the end.
Korea will face a tough task on Sunday (May 4) in the title showdown against China, which has won the title a whopping 13 times.
