Hong Kong’s Doubles Delight – Day 5: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Riding their fortune, Lee Chun Hei and Chau Hoi Wah strode into the Mixed Doubles semi-finals today at the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017 – capturing Hong Kong’s first doubles medal at a World Championships.

Headlining a string of quarter-final upsets, the pair savoured a memorable, first-ever triumph over No.2 seeds, Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong, at Emirates Arena shortly after Men’s Singles top seed Son Wan Ho upstaged the highly-fancied Kidambi Srikanth of India.

About an hour later, 19-year-old Chen Yufei continued her eyebrow-raising heroics, calmly dispatching Ratchanok Intanon in three games on centre court to ensure a medal in her World Championships debut.

However, it was the steely performance of Lee and Chau (featured image) which stole the show as they withstood another of the trademark comebacks for which Lu and Huang have become famed. Left-handed Chau matched the usually-clinical Huang at net while Lee contributed his fair share of points to the 21-13 17-21 21-15 success with big hitting from the back blended with perceptive interceptions and follow-ups.

In the wake of the finest moment of their professional careers, the No.10 seeds said their priority was to give their optimal performance.

“We have lost some tough matches in three games to the Chinese. We prepared well in terms of serving and receiving and in our defence for today’s match.

“We didn’t think about getting a medal but we are very happy to get it,” said Chau; her partner adding that he was “surprised” by the result given their previous defeats.

Meanwhile, Son stunned Kidambi (21-14 21-18) who was considered one of the main challengers to two-time defending Men’s Singles champion Chen Long. The Indian hopeful did himself no favours by constantly flirting with the lines in the second game – and constantly missing. His error-strewn display left him with a mountain to climb as Son, putting in a steady day’s work, sped to a 16-5 lead and, in the end, he needed every bit of it.

The Korean’s nerves were given a severe workover as his rival clawed to within a point at 19-18 before a few more errors – this time at net – sounded the death knell for the No.8 seed.

“I am really happy because, after many World Championships, this is my first semi-final. When Srikanth was coming back in the second game, I was very nervous but I told myself to remain calm and take it one point at a time,” said the world No.1 player who will be up against five-time winner Lin Dan of China in the semi-finals.

Kidambi lamented his below-par showing, noting that nothing he tried worked.

“He was in control of the match and I really didn’t get into it. I made too many mistakes,” rued the 24-year-old.

Ratchanok Intanon echoed similar sentiments in her Women’s Singles loss to Chinese youngster, Chen Yufei, who displayed a maturity beyond her age and experience to dispatch the talented Thai and 2013 World champion: 14-21 21-16 21-12.

“Chen started to read my game a lot better and I was taking shots in bad positions. I am a little disappointed that I didn’t reach the semi-finals.”

Chen, the reigning World Junior title-holder, was ecstatic to add the wily Intanon to her scalps a day after thwarting top seed, Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.

“I am thrilled to win two very tough matches in a row. I know I can compete with the best in the world. After losing the first game, mentally I was just trying to gain confidence and play my game,” she told media.

“I changed my strategy starting with the serve. I was putting myself under pressure when I was serving high because she is a good attacking player. When I switched to the short serve it helped a lot,” said Chen who faces Pusarla V Sindhu of India in the semi-finals.

Other matches had their fair share of drama also.

In Men’s Singles, Chou Tien Chen saved two match points to stretch No.3 seed, Viktor Axelsen, the distance. Chinese Taipei’s Chou led briefly, before a resolute Axelsen pulled away – 21-18 20-22 21-16 – to secure at least a bronze to the delight of Danish fans.

In Mixed Doubles, it took an effort of Olympic proportions by Rio 2016 champions – Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir – to stave off young Chinese duo, Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping, especially after blowing a 9-2 advantage in the decider. The 19-21 21-15 21-18 victory earned the stellar Indonesians a fourth World Championships medal together.

Further fireworks ensued in a tension-filled Women’s Doubles clash as Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi saw a 15-2 advantage evaporate in the second game against Bao Yixin and Yu Xiaohan. The Japanese top seeds then lost five match points as their Chinese opponents levelled the match. The Rio 2016 gold medallists ultimately scraped through 21-13 25-27 21-19 in 84 minutes. They must beat China’s Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan for a place in the final.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ahsan gave himself a shot at retaining the Men’s Doubles crown which he won with Hendra Setiawan two years ago. The experienced Indonesian and Rian Agung Saputro prevailed against Korea’s Chung Eul Seok/Kim Dukyoung, 21-16 21-18.

“The main reason for our success is our communication and learning from our mistakes. It’s great to reach the semi-finals and we need to stay focused if we want to go further,” said Ahsan.

Click here for results

World Championships News

BWF Permits Participation of Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarus

BWF Permits Participation of Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarus

29 August 2023
Wrap: Great Matches – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Wrap: Great Matches – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

29 August 2017
Okuhara Prevails in Epic – Singles Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Okuhara Prevails in Epic – Singles Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

28 August 2017
‘Four’ Sure! – Doubles Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

‘Four’ Sure! – Doubles Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

27 August 2017
Lin in Seventh Final – Semi-Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Lin in Seventh Final – Semi-Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

27 August 2017
‘Axel-lent’ Job! – Semi-Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

‘Axel-lent’ Job! – Semi-Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

26 August 2017
Queen Carolina Dethroned – Day 5: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Queen Carolina Dethroned – Day 5: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

26 August 2017
Chung/Kim Stay in Hunt – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Chung/Kim Stay in Hunt – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

25 August 2017
Top Seed Tumbles – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Top Seed Tumbles – Day 4: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

24 August 2017
Tremors Hit Men’s Doubles – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Tremors Hit Men’s Doubles – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

24 August 2017
Mama Mia – Europe’s Hopes Rise!  – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Mama Mia – Europe’s Hopes Rise! – Day 3: TOTAL BWF World...

23 August 2017
Singles Seeds Stumble – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Singles Seeds Stumble – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

22 August 2017
Lee Stunned in Opening Round – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

Lee Stunned in Opening Round – Day 2: TOTAL BWF World Championships...

22 August 2017
No Mercy for Merrilees – Day 1: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

No Mercy for Merrilees – Day 1: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017

21 August 2017
Bumpy Start for Michelle Li – DAY 1: TOTAL BWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017

Bumpy Start for Michelle Li – DAY 1: TOTAL BWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS...

21 August 2017
Ready for Liftoff!

Ready for Liftoff!

21 August 2017
Ahmad/Natsir Brimming With Confidence

Ahmad/Natsir Brimming With Confidence

20 August 2017
Marin Lays it On the Line

Marin Lays it On the Line

20 August 2017
Twist in the Script? – Men’s Singles Preview

Twist in the Script? – Men’s Singles Preview

20 August 2017
Welcome to Glasgow!

Welcome to Glasgow!

19 August 2017
Too Close to Call – Women’s Singles Preview

Too Close to Call – Women’s Singles Preview

18 August 2017
Energy Versus Guile – Men’s Doubles Preview

Energy Versus Guile – Men’s Doubles Preview

16 August 2017
Japan Have the Edge – Women’s Doubles Preview

Japan Have the Edge – Women’s Doubles Preview

14 August 2017
Form Favours China – Mixed Doubles Preview

Form Favours China – Mixed Doubles Preview

12 August 2017
‘Worlds’ Blockbuster On The Cards

‘Worlds’ Blockbuster On The Cards

9 August 2017
Son, Yamaguchi Top-Seeded for Worlds

Son, Yamaguchi Top-Seeded for Worlds

6 August 2017
Son Has Tail Up with No.1 Ranking

Son Has Tail Up with No.1 Ranking

2 August 2017
Injury Dashes Jorgensen’s Hopes

Injury Dashes Jorgensen’s Hopes

1 August 2017
12BET an Official Partner of World Championships

12BET an Official Partner of World Championships

24 July 2017
China Ace Qualification for Worlds

China Ace Qualification for Worlds

21 July 2017
Thomas Composes a World Championships Winner

Thomas Composes a World Championships Winner

7 July 2017
Li Xuerui’s Hopes Alive for Worlds

Li Xuerui’s Hopes Alive for Worlds

9 June 2017
Tan Kim Her for World Coaching Conference

Tan Kim Her for World Coaching Conference

17 May 2017
Top Guns Confirm Places

Top Guns Confirm Places

16 May 2017
Chen Long Gets ‘Worlds’ Wild Card

Chen Long Gets ‘Worlds’ Wild Card

4 May 2017
Chen Long’s Fate in the Balance

Chen Long’s Fate in the Balance

28 April 2017
Lin Dan Stakes Glasgow Claim

Lin Dan Stakes Glasgow Claim

20 April 2017
Jorgensen, Tai Lead Race to Glasgow

Jorgensen, Tai Lead Race to Glasgow

24 February 2017
Badminton ‘Worlds’ Going to Glasgow in 2017

Badminton ‘Worlds’ Going to Glasgow in 2017

14 November 2014
PARTNERS