Chinese women's badminton team cruise into Uber Cup final

A following doubles win secured by China's world No 1 pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan against Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, despite a first-set scare, put Team China in the driver's seat, before world No 6 He Bingjiao clinched the host's ticket to the final by routing Nozomi Okuhara in straight sets in just 41 minutes.

China's comfortable win, however, needs to be put into perspective as Japan dropped its leading singles star Akane Yamaguchi on the semifinal roster due to the world No 4's poor form during the group stage.