May 16, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1429

JAKARTA, May 15: It was back to business for China on Thursday as they raced into the Uber Cup final, pounding South Korea 3-1 with only Indonesia standing in the way of a sixth consecutive title.

China, who are unbeaten at the Uber Cup in 10 years, showed glaring weaknesses against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, rallying from 2-1 down after Xie Xingfang and Jiang Yanjiao lost their singles rubbers.

That near-disaster, which would have been their worst performance ever, encouraged the Koreans but when it came to the crunch China proved once again why they are the best in the business.

Hosts Indonesia, the last team to beat China at the Uber Cup, in 1996, await them in Saturday’s final after bouncing back from losing the first game to topple unfancied Germany 3-1 in front of raucous home support.

World No 1 Xie, whose indifferent form in recent months will be a worry for Chinese coach Li Yongbo ahead of the Olympics, had a point to prove after being humbled by Dutch star Yao Jie on Wednesday.

She responded by beating Hwang Hye-Youn 21-9, 21-19.

But the world’s top doubles team, Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen, caved in to the pressure of a hostile Indonesian crowd as they crashed 14-21, 21-17, 21-18 to Won Lee-Kyung and Jung Lee-Hyo.

There was more riding on this match than met the eye.

While Xie and Athens Olympic champion Zhang Ning, who is injured and not playing here, are seen as automatic choices for Beijing, the third singles slot is still up for grabs, with Zhu Lin and Lu Lan in the running.

Zhu was rested on Wednesday but Lu, the world No 2, showed her mettle to save a match point and go on to win her rubber.

She was duly entrusted with the second singles on Thursday and romped past Jang Soo-Young 21-9, 21-12 to stake her claim for the vacant Olympic berth.

Wei Yili and Zhang Yawen wrapped up the match with victory over Kim Min-Jung and Ha Jung-Eun.

Indonesia, who last made the final in 1998, looked on shaky ground when Maria Kristin lost the opening tie to Xu Huaiwen.

But Adriyanti Firdasari levelled the game by beating Julianne Schenk and Jo Novita and Greysia Polii gave them the advantage with a 21-9, 21-13 win over Birgit Overzier and Kathrin Piotrowski.

Pia Zebadiah then rose to the ocassion, trouncing Karin Schnaase 21-7, 21-16 in the third singles match to seal their place in the final.

The men’s Thomas Cup semis are on Friday, with China aiming for their third straight title. They play South Korea, while 13-time champions Indonesia are up against Malaysia.

Semi-final results:

Uber Cup

China bt South Korea 3-1 (Xie Xingfang (CHN) bt Hwang Hye-Youn (KOR) 21-9, 21-19; Won Lee-Kyung/Jung Lee-Hyo (KOR) bt Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) 14-21, 21-17, 21-18; Lu Lan (CHN) bt Jang Soo-Young (KOR) 21-9, 21-12; Wei Yili/Zhang Yawen (CHN) bt Kim Min-Jung/Ha Jung-Eun (KOR) 21-19, 21-8).

Indonesia bt Germany 3-1 (Xu Huaiwen (GER) bt Maria Kristin (INA) 22-20, 21-15; Adriyanti Firdasari (INA) bt Julianne Schenk (GER) 21-16, 22-20; Jo Novita/Greysia Polii (INA) bt Birgit Overzier/Kathrin Piotrowski (GER) 21-9, 21-13; Pia Zebadiah (INA) bt Karin Schnaase (GER) 21-7, 21-16).—AFP