Tournament favourites China take on fourth seeds Malaysia in the quarter-final of the ongoing, inaugural Robot Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Friday.
The top seeds were handed a tough draw as they were drawn along with Asian heavyweights Hong Kong and Taiwan in Group A. However, China decimated both their oppositions 5-0 on Tuesday and Thursday to top the group and book their berth in the last-eight stages of the tournament.
Despite the absence of top-ranked shuttlers, Chen Long, Lin Dan and Li Xuerui, China have gone into the tournament with youngsters, who have been performing consistently at the highest level. World number 12 Shi Yuqi, who won the French Open last year, is leading the Men's singles campaign and he decimated Hsu Jen Hao of Taiwan yesterday.
World number 10 He Bingjiao, who won the French and Japan Open last year, is likely to play the Women's singles rubber against Malaysia today ahead of world junior champion Chen Yufei, who also won her opening rubber on Wednesday.
Malaysia are likely to field youngsters Ying Ying Lee and Lim Chi Wing in the singles category. The two shuttlers, despite being in good form after the team stunned Indonesia 3-2 on Thursday, are likely to find it tough against China's singles stars.
Meanwhile, China are invincible with their doubles units and the presence of women's pair of Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan is a big boost to their chances. Having not dropped a match yet in the ongoing tournament, the Asian giants are looking set to take another step towards another major badminton title.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Eleven Sports
Malaysia: Astro Supersport 4
Team News
China
Possible Line-up: Shi Yuqi (MS), He Bingjiao (WS), Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen (MD), Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (WD), Li Yinhui/Zhang Nan (XD)
Malaysia
Possible Line-up: Lim Chi Wing (MS), Ying Ying Lee (WS), Sze Fei Goh/Nur Izzudin (MD), Yin Loo Lim/Yap Chen Wen (WD), Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jem Lai (XD)
