Japan’s Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda took down China’s world champions Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan for their first win in four meetings in the Wuhan City of Automobile Badminton Asia Championships on Saturday.
Ā
In a 66-minute thriller the Japanese kept their nerves and cool for a come-from-behind 14-21, 21-12, 25-23 win over the second seeds that left the home fans disappointed despite their partisan support.
Ā
In Sunday’s final the Japanese third seeds will face top seeds Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen who defeated compatriots Huang Kaixiang-Wang Yilyu in another three-game affair to prevail 21-17, 14-21, 21-10.
Ā
“Going into the match we did not realise that we lost to them three-times in our previous encounters,” said Kamura.
Ā
“It sweet to beat our rival on Chinese soil. This is very encouraging for us as our previous meetings were also close affairs but we ended up losing.”
Ā
Sonoda chipped in to say “it is also nice to know that we prevented an all-China final.”
Ā
“We have another Chinese hurdle to clear in the final and we will work out something. Our confidence is there but we have a tough hurdle.”
Ā
A disappointed Zhang Nan said: “It was another tight match but we ended up losing in front of our home fans. The match did not depend on our past history against the Japanese pair.”
Ā
Ā
RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS)
Ā
Men’s doubles
Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda (Jpn) beat Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan (Chn) 14-21, 21-12, 25-23
Ā
Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen (Chn) beat Huang Kaixiang-Wang Yilyu (Chn) 21-17, 14-21, 21-10
- Advertisement - 
