China
Badminton: China beat Germany to enter Uber Cup final
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-05-04 20:36
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TOKYO - World number one Zhang Ning led defending champions China to a 3-0 win over Germany to rekindle her rivalry against Mia Audina Tjptawan of the Netherlands in the Uber Cup final.
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| Zhang Ning of China eyes the shuttlecock during her semi-final round match against Xu Huaiwen of Germany in the Uber Cup badminton tournament in Tokyo. [AFP] |
World champion Xie put China two up by breezing past Juliane Schenk 21-17, 21-16, while the world number two duo Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen downed Michaela Peiffer and Sandra Marinello 21-9, 21-4 to finish off the best-of-five contest.
The Netherlands defeated Taiwan 3-0 with Audina beating Cheng Shao-chieh 21-19, 21-17, Judith Meulendiks beating Chien Yu-chin 22-20, 21-17, and Katrina de Wit beating Pai Min-Jie 21-16, 14-21, 21-15.
China's head coach Li Yongbo was upbeat ahead of Saturday's clash. "When I saw Zhang Ning and Xie Xingfang, I know they were under pressure, but I'm sure they will show their real potential in the final."
"In the doubles, Germany couldn't cope with Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen, who didn't need to perform their best today. With these four players, who can beat us?"
Zhang said Audina is a "special rival" since Zhang lost to Audina in the fifth singles match of the 1994 Uber Cup final at Jakarta, where Audina brought her mother country Indonesia's second victory.
Zhang avenged her loss in the Athens Olympics gold medal showdown, Zhang shocked Zudina 9-11, 11-6, 11-7.
"This is a team competition, and we've been concentrating really well to win the Uber Cup and the Thomas Cup."
Zhang, however, appeared modest about the fact that no challengers have been able to beat the Chinese.
"It depends on every team, every player, who is working hard. For sure, China have a lot of top-ranked players, but it's a result of each player's hard work," said Zhang.