China's men's and women's teams reach badminton semifinals

NAGOYA, Japan -- Defending champion China edged South Korea 3-2 in the men's team quarterfinals on Tuesday, while the Chinese women's team swept Thailand 3-0 to reach the semifinals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The men's tie lasted nearly six hours, with China securing the decisive point in the fifth match.

Former world champion Shi Yuqi put China ahead with a 13-21, 21-19, 21-12 comeback win over Yoo Tae-bin. Shi found his rhythm after a shaky opening game, while Yoo appeared to tire in the decider after a demanding previous match.

"My condition and feel weren't particularly good, and I made a lot of mistakes on court. I kept trying to rediscover my old form, but it's been a long time since I've been able to find the feeling and style that once came naturally to me," Shi said.

South Korea leveled the tie as world No 1 pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae beat Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21-12, 21-12, before Jeon Hyeok-jin came from behind to beat Li Shifeng 2-1.

China leveled the tie at 2-2 in the fourth match, as He Jiting and Liu Yi beat their opponents in the decider after the two pairs split the opening two games. The Chinese pair built an 8-3 lead and held on to win the match.

"We just wanted to play at our best and show the fighting spirit we should have at our age," Liu said. "Our opponents were brave and aggressive, but we had the confidence to win."

Weng Hongyang then sealed China's victory with a 21-17, 21-15 win over Choi Ji-hoon in the deciding match.

China will meet India in the semifinals.

In the women's quarterfinals, Wang Zhiyi came from a game down to beat Thai veteran Ratchanok Intanon 17-21, 21-18, 21-12, before Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning swept Hataithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan 21-9, 21-10 in the first doubles match.

Former Olympic champion Chen Yufei then secured China's semifinal berth with a 21-9, 19-21, 21-13 win over Pornpawee Chochuwong in the second singles.

Chen came under pressure after dropping the second game.

"I wasn't placing my shots accurately enough later in the second game and was under pressure from my opponent, so I had to stick to my own rhythm and keep adjusting," Chen said.

China will face Indonesia in the semifinals after Indonesia defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1.

Elsewhere, South Korea defeated Japan 3-1 in the women's team quarterfinals, while Thailand beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the men's event.