TOKYO, May 4: With world number one Zhang Ning and number two Xie Xingfang on their side, defending champions China comfortably defeated Germany 3-0 on Thursday to advance to Uber Cup final.

Athens Olympic champion Zhang shrugged off a slow start to beat European champion Xu Huaiwen 21-17, 21-14 in the opening singles rubber in 33 minutes.

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 world number one pair of Gao Ling and Huang Sui did not have a chance to play Thursday.

”In the 21-point system, you must always keep your concentration.

Otherwise, you will be in trouble. It's the key to how to start a game, and that's why I had a slow start,” said Zhang.

”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.

Meanwhile, Xu, ranked fourth in the world, said: “I didn't have any pressure. She (Zhang) is one of the best players in the world. I just tried to do my best and I did. I learned a lot from the match.”

”Next time I play against her, I'll play better,” said Xu.

Xie appeared more determined than Zhang after finishing her match in 38 minutes.

”We came here to win the Uber Cup and Thomas Cup... It's the same even if we have to play in the 21-point system. We are determined to win the Cups,” said Xie.

In the final on Saturday, China will take on the winners between Taiwan and the Netherlands, eyeing their fifth straight and 10th overall Uber Cup.

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?”

Results (semifinals):

China 3 Germany 0

Zhang Ning (CHN) bt Xu Huaiwen (GER) 21-17, 21-14; Xie Xingfang (CHN) bt Juliane Schenk (GER) 21-17, 21-16; Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) bt Michaela Peiffer/Sandra Marinello (GER) 21-9, 21-4

Netherlands 3 Taiwan 0

Mia Audina Tjptawan (NED) bt Cheng Shao-chief (TPE) 21-19, 21-17; Judith Meulendjks (NED) bt Chien Yu-chin (TPE) 22-20, 21-17; Karina de Wit (NED) bt Pai Min-jie (TPE) 21-16, 14-21, 21-15

—AFP