Defending champion China overwhelmed India 3-1 to play against South Korea in the Uber Cup final while Lee Chong Wei's Malaysia suffered an unexpected defeat against Denmark in the Thomas Cup semi-finals here on Friday.
Li Xuerui, the world number three, edged past India's Saina Nehwal 21-15, 12-21, 21-17 in a tough match in one hour and four minutes. It was Li's eighth successive victory against the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist.
Wang Shixian doubled China's lead in the second singles. Wang, who rallied past top ranked Carolina Marin in the group stage, overcame a ten-point deficit in the second game to score a 21-13, 23-21 win over Pusarla V. Sindhu.
"I already began to prepare the decider when I was down 8-18 in the second game, but my opponent made lots of mistakes later. I hope I can get this kind of luck in the final," said Wang.
Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei sealed China's victory by overwhelming Jwala Gutta/Nelakurihi Sikki Reddy 21-6, 21-6, leading the host to its 17th Uber Cup final.
Though Bae Yeon Ju withdrew due to illness in the second singles, South Korea advanced to the final by shocking 2014 runner-up Japan 3-1.
The South Korea men's team, which stunned China Thursday, was defeated by Indonesia 3-1 in the semifinal of the Thomas Cup. Indonesia, the 13 times champion, made its first Thomas Cup final since 2010.
In the other semifinal, Malaysia wasted a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Denmark, which dropped world No. 5 Jan O Jorgensen from the line-up.
Lee Chong Wei gained the first point for Malaysia after defeating Viktor Axelsen in straight sets and Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong upset Mathias Boe-Mads/Conrad-Petersen to extend the lead.
However, Denmark pulled the match back after Hans-Kristian Vittinghus and Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen beat their opponents respectively.
Emil Holst became the hero for Denmark when he outplayed Chong Wei Feng 21-15, 21-18 in the decider.
Denmark, the eight-time runner-up, lost to Indonesia four times in the Thomas Cup final before.
