Japan's women advanced to the finals of the Uber Cup badminton tournament on Friday with a 3-1 victory over South Korea.
The top-seeded Japanese women booked a spot in the finals for the first time since 2014, with wins by singles players Akane Yamaguchi and Nozomi Okuhara, and the doubles duo of Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi.
World No. 2 Yamaguchi beat seventh-ranked Sung Ji Hyun 21-10, 21-13 in 41 minutes to get Japan off to a positive start at Siri Fort Sports Complex.
Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota lost their doubles match to Kim So Yeong and Shin Seung Chan 21-19, 21-15. But Okuhara, the reigning world champion, breezed past Lee Jang Mi 21-9, 21-15 in the third rubber to put Japan ahead.
Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medalists Matsutomo and Takahashi defeated Baek Ha Na and Lee Yu Rim 21-11, 17-21, 21-14.
Japan will face Thailand or defending champion China in Saturday's final in their campaign to win this tournament for the first time in 37 years.
In the Thomas Cup, Japan's men will face Denmark in Friday's semifinals. Kento Momota, the former world No. 2, is set for a singles clash against world champion Viktor Axelsen.
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