BEIJING -- Chinese shuttler Zhang Ning beat Maria Kristin Yulianti from Indonesia here on Friday at the women's singles semifinals, securing the gold of the event for China at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Zhang Ning of China celebrates defeating Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia during their women's singles semi-final badminton match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 15, 2008. [Agencies]

Zhang beat Yulianti 21-15, 21-15. Just before the match, top seed and Zhang's teammate Xie Xingfang defeated Lu Lan, also from China, to check into the final.

"I did it! I have told myself two years ago that an Olympic gold medal was good, but securing the gold for Chinese was above all," said Zhang Ning after the match.

Zhang, 33, said she was exhausted after Friday's match. "I said after the previous matches that I had no problems with stamina. Actually I lied to myself so as not to lose confidence."

"How could an athlete at my age be as energetic as those in their twenties?" Zhang said.

The defending Olympic champion said she would do her best to fight Xie in the final, "so I can have some sweet memories for myself."