Indonesia stun defending champs South Korea
are one step away from securing their first Uber Cup title after 28 years when they stunned defending champions South Korea 3-2 in the semi-finals, courtesy of an impressive comeback win by Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi in the third singles match in Chengdu, China, yesterday.
The 21-year-old from Bali emerged as the heroine for Indonesia by overcoming a first-game blemish to beat Kin Min Sun 17-21, 21-16, 21-19 to help her country reach their first final after 16 years.
Indonesia will take on China in the final today after the hosts posted a comfortable 3-0 win over Japan in the other semi-final tie at the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre.
Indonesia, the three-time champions, capitalised on the absence of world No. 1 An Se Young due to illness, as world No. 9 Gregoria Mariska Tunjung swept aside Sim Yu Jin, ranked 37th, 21-15, 21-13, to earn the first point.
However, world No. 2 Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee levelled the score for South Korea as they powered past Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-6, 21-18 before Indonesia reclaimed the advantage when second singles Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo saw off Kim Ga Ram 20-22, 21-16, 21-12.
South Korea once again proved dominant in doubles after their second pair, Jeong Na Eun-Kong Hee Yong, defeated Lanny Tria Mayasari-Ribka Sugarto 21-15, 21-14 before Komang Ayu’s perseverance paid dividends for Indonesia to return to the final.
Speaking after the match, the world No. 56 was relieved to bring Indonesia to the final. The team had failed to clear the quarter-final stage for six consecutive editions.
“The chance to win tomorrow (today) is definitely there. We just have to try our best, and may God allow us to win tomorrow,” she told reporters.
Gregoria said: “It was our first semi-finals after a long time, so winning the tie means a lot to the team.
“My dream since I was a kid was to win the Uber Cup.”
Meanwhile, world No. 2 Chen Yu Fei gave China an impressive start as she defeated Japan’s Aya Ohori, 21-18, 21-15 in the opening match.
In the second match, Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan came from behind to outlast world No. 4 Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida 14-21, 21-13, 23-21.
China’s second singles, He Bing Jiao, then secured a final spot for China when she overcame Nozomi Okuhara 21-8, 21-18.
Bing Jiao, who was quite pleased with her performance yesterday, hopes China will make amends for their last edition’s 3-2 defeat to South Korea in the final by clinching their 16th Uber Cup title in front of their home fans today.