Defending champions China secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Thailand in Xiamen, Fujian Province, on Wednesday, topping Group A and advancing to the Sudirman Cup knockout stage. The event, a prestigious mixed-team badminton tournament, saw standout performances from Chinese athletes across multiple disciplines.
The mixed doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Wei Yaxin set the tone with a 23-21, 21-11 win against Thailand's Teeraratsakul Pakkapon and Muenwong Phataimas. Men's singles player Li Shifeng delivered an 85-minute thriller, overcoming Wangcharoen Kantaphon 21-18, 17-21, 21-13 in a tense match that showcased tactical resilience.
Women's singles world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi faced a challenging battle against Intanon Ratchanok, narrowly losing 19-21, 21-13, 21-23. "She played very aggressively today," Wang reflected. "I need to learn from this and turn it into valuable experience."
China later sealed their dominance with decisive wins in doubles. Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang cruised through men's doubles (21-14, 21-14), while Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning dominated women's doubles (21-11, 21-8).
In Group B, four-time champions South Korea secured top spot with a 4-1 victory over Chinese Taipei, despite an early setback in men's singles. The knockout stage begins Friday, with teams vying for badminton's coveted global team title.
