CHENGDU (China): World number 38 women’s singles shuttler Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo was ecstatic after clinching the winning point to help Indonesia reach the Uber Cup semifinals after 14 years and end their medal drought.
Indonesia eliminated 2018 runners-up Thailand with a resounding 3-0 win in the quarter-finals of the world’s most prestigious badminton team tournament at the Chengdu HighTech Zone Sports Centre here yesterday.
Eighteen-year-old Ester, who took to the court with Indonesia leading Thailand 2-0, said it was the fervent support of her teammates that fuelled her come-from-behind 19-21, 21-19, 21-19 win over world number 16 Supanida Katethong.
“After 14 years, we are finally in the semi-finals, which also happens to be our target. I’m so happy but there’s another match tomorrow,” she told reporters at the mixed zone after her 83-minute triumph.
World number nine Gregoria Mariska Tunjung had given Indonesia the first point when she defeated former world champion Rachanok Intanon 22-20, 21-18 for her first win over the Thai after nine meetings.
Indonesia’s women’s doubles pair of Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti then defeated Jongkolphan Kithitarakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 21-17, 21-14 to double their lead before Ester’s heroics.
South Korea await Indonesia in tomorrow’s semi-finals after the defending champions downed Taiwan, also 3-0. South Korean world number one An Se Young lived up to expectations by easing past Wen Chi Hsu 21-14, 21-9.
World number two pair Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee maintained their team’s winning momentum to overcome Hsu Ya Ching-Lin Wan Ching 21-6, 21-19 before Sim Yu Jin sealed victory for South Korea with 21-5, 21-15 win over Sung Shuo Yun.
The other semi-final will see hosts China take on Japan. In Thursday’s quarter-finals, China thumped Denmark 3-0 while Japan stormed into the last four by defeating India 3-0. – BERNAMA
