Tokyo: China’s World No. 6 “Twin Towers” – Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen defeated Malaysia’s World No. 9 Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik on Friday 24-22, 21-13 on Friday to advance to the Tokyo Olympic badminton men’s doubles final.
In the first set, Chia/Soh who just pulled off a big upset against World No. 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the quarter-final, were giving the Chinese pair a lot of pressure during several intense rallies.
Li/Liu slowly gained control over the net and didn’t hesitate to attack even during the critical moment to eventually win the first game with 24-22.
Chia/Soh looked seemingly demoralized in the second set as the Chinese pair was focusing on their powerful smashes towards Soh Wooi Yik. The strategy worked very well for Li/Liu as they wrapped up the second game with 21-13.
In another men’s doubles semi-final, World No. 3 Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin of Taiwan were playing like former World No. 1 men’s pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong from Malaysia, with strong smashes, quick rotation, and diving the net to retrieve sharp net shots from World No. 2 Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan by beating the Indonesian pair 21-11, 21-10.
The Taiwanese pair ultimately spoiled Setiawan’s dream of another shot at the Olympic gold medal after he won it with Markis Kido at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After the match, Setiawan/Ahsan went to Lee/Wang’s practice area to congratulate the Taiwanese pair:
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Lee/Wang posted the following message on their social media page after their victory:
Lee Yang:
“I’m Li Yang!
I’m Taiwanese I’m proud 🇹🇼🇹🇼🇹🇼
Thank you all.
Tonight, share this joy with you
We will keep working hard
A big step towards the last goal 💪💪💪
I am Lee Yang
I am from Taiwan🇹🇼🇹🇼🇹🇼”
Wang Chi-Lin:
“Now, I just want to tell everyone out loud
My name is Wang Qi-hing.
I’m from Taiwan 🇹🇼🇹🇼🇹🇼
Unbelievable”
Lee/Wang will face Li/Liu in the men’s doubles final which will take place around 7.30 pm, Saturday, Tokyo time.
