The women’s team final of the badminton event in the ongoing 11th National Games in China will feature longtime rivals Guangdong and Jiangsu as teams from these locations outlasted their rivals in the exciting semifinal matches last weekend.

Guangdong team, runner-up in the previous National Games, defeated surprise semifinalist Hubei 3-0 to reach the final once more.

Guangdong had a good start via world number 123 Liu Jian, who eliminated Chen Xi 21-12, 21-11 in just 35 minutes. The win for the province was assured when 2004 Athens Olympic Games titlist Zhang Jiewen and Yang Wei clobbered Zhao Yunlei and Wang Xiaoli 21-18, 21-8.

Despite the loss, players from Hubei are getting national attention led by Yunlei who has been perceived to be the “Little Gao Ling.” Gao Ling is a known badminton player who has won 14 world titles. The former Olympic champion wasn’t able to play for the Hubei team but expressed her satisfaction on the team’s semifinal finish.

Yunlei said that they are inexperienced compared to their opponents which makes it easier for them to accept the loss. Despite the defeat, the Hubei team was satisfied with their badminton racket performance, having not expected to reach the latter stages of this prestigious event.

Guangdong made it a 3-0 sweep after Xia Jingyun defeated Li Wen 21-18, 21-14.