Xiamen: China stormed into the 2025 Sudirman Cup final with a commanding 3-0 victory over Japan, booking their spot to face Korea, who narrowly defeated Indonesia 3-2 in a nail-biting semifinal.
In the first mixed doubles match, China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping dominated Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi, winning 21-11, 21-17. After the match, the “Phoenix Duo” said, “Japan is known for their resilience and patience, but today we showed even greater determination and pulled ahead.”
In the men’s singles, Shi Yuqi cruised past Japan’s Kodai Naraoka with a 2-0 win. “Last time was tough with three sets, but today I had a strong start and adjusted quickly when challenges came in the second game,” Shi commented.
Watch Shi Yuqi vs. Kodai Naraoka in the 2025 Sudirman Cup Semifinals:
The third match saw Chen Yufei overcome Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in a thrilling 17-21, 21-9, 21-16 comeback, sealing the tie and ensuring China’s 16th consecutive appearance in a Sudirman Cup final. China now chases a historic fourth straight title.
Korea Survives Five-Match Thriller to Beat Indonesia 3-2
In the other semifinal, Korea edged Indonesia 3-2 after a rollercoaster battle. Korea’s mixed doubles stars Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung got things rolling with a 21-10, 21-15 win over Dejan Ferdinansyah and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti.
However, Korea’s men’s singles Cho Geonyeop was upset by Alwi Farhan 21-16, 8-21, 8-21, leveling the match at 1-1.
World No. 1 An Se Young stepped up for Korea, brushing aside Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-18, 21-12 in the women’s singles, marking her incredible 24th straight win this season.
Seo Seung Jae returned for the men’s doubles with Kim Won Ho, but they fell short against Indonesia’s Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana in a close 18-21, 21-13, 23-25 defeat, tying the tie at 2-2.
In a pressure-packed women’s doubles decider, Korea’s world No. 3 pair Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee held firm, defeating Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-10, 18-21, 21-15 to secure Korea’s place in the final.
