Baek/Lee and Matsuyama/Shida Upset China's "Golden Day" at Badminton World Tour Finals 2024
Trang Napie
Sun Dec 22 2024
The highly anticipated Badminton World Tour Finals 2024 witnessed a spectacular turn of events as Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee and Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida disrupted China's hopes for domination in the women's doubles category. The crowd was in for gripping matches and unexpected outcomes on this thrilling day of badminton action.
Baek/Lee made an early statement in their match, defeating Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning with a commanding 21-14 victory in the opening game. Despite a strong resurgence from top-seeded Liu/Tan in the second game, the Korean duo, ranked 2nd in the world, held their ground to avenge their losses at the Olympic quarterfinals and Japan Open finals. Their resilience and determination were evident in every rally, securing their spot in the finals.
Matsuyama/Shida followed suit in the evening session, overcoming the gold medalists of Paris 2024, Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan, with a 23-21, 21-13 triumph. This victory halted their 9-game losing streak against the Chinese pair. Shida, modest in her post-match assessment, acknowledged the challenge posed by their esteemed opponents and remained respectful of their world-class status.
Looking ahead to their final opponents, against whom Japan has a less favorable head-to-head record of 2-9, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalists remained focused on their preparation. Matsuyama emphasized the Korean duo's reputation for powerful smashes and relentless attacking plays, indicating special preparations to counter their strengths.
On the other hand, China continued its dominance in the women's singles category, with Han Yue and Wang Zhi Yi securing their first titles in five years. Han Yue defeated Aya Ohori (21-17, 21-13) while Wang Zhi Yi triumphed over An Se Young (21-17, 21-14) in the respective semifinal matches. The Chinese shuttlers showcased their prowess and determination, reclaiming the top position in women's singles since Chen Yu Fei's victory in 2019.
The Badminton World Tour Finals 2024 delivered exhilarating clashes and unexpected upsets, with Baek/Lee and Matsuyama/Shida shining as the underdogs who derailed China's dominance in the women's doubles category. As the competition intensifies, fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling finale and whether these dynamic duos can maintain their momentum to clinch the coveted titles.