Chen Yufei of China celebrates her victory over Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt of Denmark (not pictured) during the first-round women's singles match in the Uber Cup quarterfinal in Chengdu, China, May 2, 2024. /CFP
Host nation China secured a spot in the Uber Cup semifinals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Denmark in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday.
Olympic champion Chen Yufei put China ahead by beating Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt 21-10, 21-12, before world No. 1 Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan extended the lead to 2-0 in the following doubles clash.
He Bingjiao also contributed a 2-0 win against Line Christophersen, 21-16, 22-20.
China will face Japan in the semifinals after the latter defeated India 3-0.
Jia Yifan (L) and Chen Qingchen of China greet Denmark's players after their second-round women's doubles match during the Uber Cup quarterfinal in Chengdu, China, May 2, 2024. /CFP
Aya Ohori of Japan defeated Ashmita Chaliha of India 21-10, 20-22, 21-15 in their first-round women's singles match.
In the second round, Japanese pair Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida dominated the women's doubles match with a 21-8, 21-9 win over Indian duo Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra.
In the third round, Nozomi Okuhara of Japan edged out Isharani Baruah 21-15, 21-12 in their singles clash.
He Bingjiao of China jumps to save a shot in the third-round women's singles match during the Uber Cup quarterfinal in Chengdu, China, May 2, 2024. /CFP
"Japan is a strong team, and we need to face them with a good attitude," Chen said. "No matter who the opponent is, we will give our best."
"Japan has a flexible lineup because of four great singles players, but so do we," he added.
This tournament marks the first time since 2016 that China is playing the Uber Cup on home soil. The team is determined to win back the title it last held in 2018 after a loss to South Korea in the previous final.
China is the record holder with 15 titles in the history of the biennial international badminton championship, followed by Japan with six and the defending champion South Korea with two.
(With input from Xinhua)