CHENGDU, May 4 (Bernama) -- Indonesia are one step away from securing their first Uber Cup title after 28 years when they stunned defending champions, South Korea 3-2 in the semi-finals, courtesy of an impressive comeback win by third singles, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, today.
The 21-year-old from Bali emerged the hero for Indonesia as her powerful smashes towards Kin Min Sun concluded a wonderful day for them after she weathered a rubber set battle and triumphed 17-21, 21-16, 21-19 to send her country to their first final after 16 years.
Indonesia will take on China in the final tomorrow after the hosts posted a comfortable 3-0 win over Japan, in the other semi-finals tie at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Centre, today.
The three-time champions managed to capitalise on the absence of world number one women’s singles shuttler An Se Young due to illness, as world number nine Gregoria Mariska Tunjung swept aside Sim Yu Jin, ranked 37th, 21-15, 21-13, to notch their initial point.
However, world number two duo, Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee levelled the score for South Korea as they powered past Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-6, 21-18 before Indonesia reclaimed the advantage when second singles Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo saw off Kim Ga Ram 20-22, 21-16, 21-12.
South Korea once again proved dominant in doubles after their second pair, Jeong Na Eun-Kong Hee Yong defeated Lanny Tria Mayasari-Ribka Sugarto 21-15, 21-14 before Komang Ayu’s perseverance throughout 69 minutes paid dividends for Indonesia to return to the final.
Speaking after the match, the world number 56, was relieved to bring Indonesia to the final as they failed to clear the quarter-finals stage for six consecutive editions previously.
"The chance to win tomorrow is definitely there, we just have to try our best, may God allow us to win tomorrow," she told reporters at the mixed zone.
Meanwhile, world number two women’s singles shuttler, Chen Yu Fei gave China an impressive start as she bested Aya Ohori, 21-18, 21-15 and remained unbeaten against the Japanese after 12 matches.
In the second match, the current top women’s doubles pair, Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan came from behind and endured an 85-minute rigorous bout to outlast world number four duo, Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida 14-21, 21-13, 23-21.
China’s second singles, He Bing Jiao then secured a final spot for China when she overcame Nozomi Okuhara 21-8, 21-18.
Bing Jiao, who was quite pleased with her performance today, hoped that China will make amends of their last edition’s 2-3 defeat to South Korea in the final by clinching their 16th Uber Cup title in front of their home fans, tomorrow.
-- BERNAMA
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