Defending champion China stormed into the final of the 2025 Sudirman Cup with a dominant 3-0 victory over Japan on Saturday, thrilling the home crowd as they moved one step closer to a record-extending 14th title in the prestigious mixed-team badminton championship.
The Chinese squad delivered a masterclass, sweeping all three matches in straight games to secure their place in Sunday’s final.
Mixed Doubles Sets the Tone
World No. 2 mixed doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping gave China a flying start, overpowering Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi 21-11, 21-17. The Chinese duo controlled the rallies with precision, leaving their opponents struggling to keep pace.
Shi Yuqi Dominates in Men’s Singles
Top-seeded Shi Yuqi then delivered a crushing performance against Japan’s world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka, dismantling him 21-8, 21-16. Shi’s aggressive play and sharp net control left Naraoka with no answers, extending China’s lead to 2-0.
Chen Yufei Survives Yamaguchi Scare
Japan showed a glimmer of hope in the women’s singles as former world No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi, who held a 21-12 head-to-head record against Chen Yufei, took the first game 21-17. However, the former Olympic champion fought back fiercely, unleashing a barrage of attacks to claim the next two games 21-9, 21-16, sealing China’s spot in the final.
Final Showdown Awaits
China, which has won the biennial tournament a staggering 13 times, will now face the winner of the second semifinal between four-time champion South Korea and 1989 winner Indonesia, set to take place later today.
With a roaring home crowd behind them, the Chinese team appears unstoppable as they aim to further cement their legacy as the most dominant force in Sudirman Cup history.