China's women look set for Uber Cup<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa and Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The 2004 Uber Cup final could see a lopsided match between top
\nseed and defending champion China against underachiever South
\nKorea at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium here on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
If so, the game will be a repeat of the last Uber Cup final in
\nGuangzhou, China, where the host ousted Korea 3-1.<\/p>\n
In all, China has met Korea in the final four times -- in
\n1988, 1990, 1992 and 2002 -- soundly beating them each time.<\/p>\n
Aware of the odds, the Korean team was pessimistic about its
\nchances, even of winning a single point.<\/p>\n
Admitting the champion would likely be too strong to beat,
\nteam manager Kim Jung-soo hoped being the underdog would provide
\nhis players a boost.<\/p>\n
\"We will play without burden,\" he said, adding that advancing
\nto the semifinals had already been an achievement for the team.<\/p>\n
Assessing his players' personal strengths, Kim said Jun Jae-
\nyun was his best hope to steal a point from the Chinese.<\/p>\n
In five earlier meetings with World No. 1 Gong Ruina, Jun has
\nnever won.<\/p>\n
The pairs in the other two singles matches won't give Korea
\nmuch hope either. While China boasts world No. 2 Zhang Ning, No.
\n3 Zhou Mi and No. 6 Xie Xingfang, Korea has only world No. 27 Seo
\nYon-hee and No. 180 Lee Yun-hwa.<\/p>\n
The doubles lineup also sees discouraging prospects for the
\nKoreans, with China's world No. 1 pairing of Yang Wei and Zhang
\nJiewen, and No. 2 Gao Ling and Huang Sui poised to continue their
\ndominating runs.<\/p>\n
China still has in reserve No. 4 Wei Yili and Zhao Tingting if
\nGao's reported injury should prevent her from playing.<\/p>\n
South Korea earlier had world doubles No. 3 of Ra Kyung-min
\nand Lee Kyung-won but Ra was forced to sit out games through
\ninjury, leaving Lee to turn to Lee Yun-hwa.<\/p>\n
Ra's absence has promoted the world No. 6 pair of Hwang Yu-mi
\nand Lee Hyo-jung to South Korea's top doubles team, followed by
\nKyung-won and Yun-hwa as the second pairing.<\/p>\n
Yang and Zhang, meanwhile, have an outstanding record, winning
\nall six encounters against Hwang and Lee, their last win being in
\nthe semifinals of the Korean Open in April.<\/p>\n
Although the odds are with China, team manager Li Yongbo
\nwarned his players against underestimating their opponents.<\/p>\n
\"Our key to winning is to always respect our opponents and
\nkeep identifying their weak points,\" he said.<\/p>",
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