Chinese shuttlers Liu/Zhang defeat Japan's Hoki/Kobayashi in BWF World Superseries Finals

DUBAI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan won their men's doubles group match against Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi in straight sets (21-18, 21-15) on Thursday morning on the second day of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Dubai World Superseries Finals badminton tournament 2017.

Following the match which lasted 42 minutes only, Liu said "we felt well prepared and the result was the clear win was the result of our preparation."

He added "we do not think we won because we are taller, because in badminton body height is not really a criteria to deliver a superior way of playing."

In the women's doubles group, Japanese shuttlers Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto won in two sets against China's Huang Yaqiong and Yu Xiaohanu, 21-16 21-16.

"We lost a bit consistency and did not always look out for our best advantage," said Huang. She added that despite the defeat, she and Yu sensed they harmonized well nevertheless.

In the another men's doubles encounter with Chinese shuttlers, Danish duo Mads Conrad-Pedersen and his namesake Mads Pieler Kolding had the upper hand over Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen, winning 21-14 21-13 on court number one in Dubai's iconic Hamdan Sports Complex.

In the mixed doubles, China's Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping left English couple Chris Adcock and Gabrille Adcock no chance, leaving court number three with a 21-14 21-17 victory which they achieved within 43 minutes.

Japan's Tanaka said "there is no time for complacency, we expect tough matches ahead on Friday."

The semi-finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. With a prize money of one million dollars, Dubai hosts the BWF Superseries finals for the fourth time this year. Enditem