JAKARTA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese women's badminton team had reasons to feel relieved after revenging Thailand in straight sets in the 18th Asian Games team semi-finals here on Tuesday.
China lost to Thailand 3-2 in the Uber Cup semi-finals late in May, missing the tournament final for the first time in 34 years since its debut, while refusing to relive that anguish in Jakarta.
In a rematch against Ratchanok Intanon, China's top singles player Chen Yufei stormed to a 9-1 lead, and cruised to her 21-14 victory in the opening game.
Then Intanon regrouped herself in the following game to force her way back 21-17.
Facing a similar situation like the Uber Cup, which saw Intanon bounce back from the first-game loss en route to victory, Chen withstood early-game tussle to build an 11-7 lead at changeover. Despite losing five straight points after leading by 17-12, Chen stood firm under pressure to seal a 21-17 win through a slew of errors from her opponent.
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan also overcame stiff resistance to beat Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai and extend China's overall lead.
Chen and Jia, the former world number one pair, snatched the win of 22-20 in a topsy-turvy first game, before being forced into the decider by their Thai opponents 21-16.
The Chinese duo took charge from the outset of the third game, and bagged the victory of 21-14 from their five-point mid-game lead.
He Bingjiao, who had not featured in China's squad in the Uber Cup semi-finals, fought past Nitchaon Jindapol 21-17, 21-12.
China will take on the winner between Japan and hosts Indonesia in Wednesday's final.
