Loss to Aaron-Wooi Yik just the wake-up call Wang Chang needed
CHENGDU: The loss to men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik was a bitter pill to swallow for China’s doubles shuttler Wang Chang.

But instead of being down and out, the 22-year-old turned that painful defeat into motivation as he came back strongly with his partner Liang Weikeng to beat Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto 21-18, 17-21, 21-17 in a thrilling final as China went on to beat Indonesia 3-1 to lift the Thomas Cup title in Chengdu on Sunday.

The first doubles could have gone either way but the world No. 1 Weikeng-Wang Chang were determined not to drop another point for their country like how they did against Malaysia in the semi-finals on Saturday.

China had beaten Malaysia 3-1 but they lost that one point in the first doubles.

Wang Chang was happy that they came good in their first final appearance as a pair to give their home fans lots to cheer.

“There was huge pressure on us,” said Wang Chang.

“We had lost yesterday (Saturday) and our opponents were playing very well. It’s our first Thomas Cup final and we were able to get a victory, this experience is unforgettable and this feeling will stay with us for a long time.”

Earlier, Shi Yuqi had started the ball rolling when he gave another sterling show to beat Anthony Ginting 21-17, 21-6 - in similar style to how he blew away Lee Zii Jia on Saturday.

The hope was on Li Shifeng to keep a clean sheet for China but he went down fighting to Jonatan Christie 16-21, 21-15, 17-21.

The point gave Indonesia some hope to stage a fightback but He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu foiled it.

In just 38 minutes, they buried Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana with a sensational 21-11, 21-15 win to give China their 11th Thomas Cup victory.

“The only thing we needed to do was stay relaxed and play our best. It was our best performance of the week, and we were energetic on court.” said Jiting.

The win was a sweet revenge after losing to Indonesia 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the last Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, two years ago.

They also ended their six-year wait as they last captured the title at the 2018 edition in Bangkok, Thailand.

Indonesia won in the 2020 edition while India were the champions at the last edition in Bangkok, Thailand.
Badminton,Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang,Thomas Cup Finals,China
CHENGDU: The loss to men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik was a bitter pill to swallow for China’s doubles shuttler Wang Chang.