The 21-year-old from Bali emerged the hero for Indonesia as her powerful smashes towards Kin Min-sun concluded a wonderful day for them after she weathered a rubber set battle and triumphed 17-21, 21-16, 21-19 to send her country to their first final after 16 years.
Indonesia will take on China in the final tomorrow after the hosts posted a comfortable 3-0 win over Japan, in the other semifinal tie at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Centre, today.
The three-time champions managed to capitalise on the absence of world No 1 women’s singles shuttler An Se Young due to illness, as world No 9 Gregoria Mariska Tunjung swept aside Sim Yu-jin, ranked 37th, 21-15, 21-13, to notch their initial point.
However, world No 2 duo, Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee levelled the score for South Korea as they powered past Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-6, 21-18 before Indonesia reclaimed the advantage when their second singles shuttler Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo saw off Kim Ga Ram 20-22, 21-16, 21-12.
South Korea once again proved dominant in the doubles after their second pair, Jeong Na-eun and Kong Hee-yong defeated Lanny Tria Mayasar and Ribka Sugarto 21-15, 21-14 before Komang Ayu’s perseverance throughout 69 minutes paid dividends for Indonesia to return to the final.
Speaking after the match, the world No 56, was relieved to bring Indonesia to the final as they failed to clear the quarterfinals stage at six consecutive editions previously.
“The chance to win tomorrow is definitely there, we just have to try our best, may God allow us to win tomorrow,” she told reporters at the mixed zone.
Meanwhile, world No 2 women’s singles shuttler, Chen Yu Fei gave China an impressive start as she defeated Aya Ohori 21-18, 21-15 and remained unbeaten against the Japanese after 12 matches.
In the second match, the current top women’s doubles pair, Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan came from behind and endured an 85-minute rigorous bout to outlast world No 4 duo, Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida 14-21, 21-13, 23-21.
China’s second singles shuttler, He Bing Jiao then secured a final spot for China when she overcame Nozomi Okuhara 21-8, 21-18.
Bing Jiao, who was quite pleased with her performance today, hoped that China will make amends after their last edition’s 2-3 defeat to South Korea in the final by clinching their 16th Uber Cup title in front of their home fans, tomorrow.