Sudirman Cup: Bronze for Malaysia after semis loss to South Korea

Fatigue could be attributed as one of the factors for the national team's defeat as most of the shuttlers were in action less than a day earlier against Denmark.

The South Koreans came into this tie clearly the fresher of the two, having rested well after their Friday morning victory against Chinese Taipei.

Mixed doubles pair Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu Jung were first to take advantage of that break with a 11-21, 21-13, 21-7 victory against Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.

Even though the Malaysians did well to win the opening game, the experienced Koreans came back fired up with a much faster game to unsettle Chen-Toh for the lead.

Spectacular saves from Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei ??.Follow live action: https://t.co/TjoFnU4PnB#SudirmanCupFinals #Suzhou2023 pic.twitter.com/Yi3tPZH1wi

— BWF (@bwfmedia) May 20, 2023

Lee Zii Jia swiftly levelled proceedings with 21-11, 21-19 victory over Jeon Hyeok-jin in just 35 minutes.

Lee, who got a walkover against Denmark when Viktor Axelsen retired after just five minutes, channeled his attacking rage against Jeon with a plethora of devastating smashes to win the first game.

His opponent improved in the second, but Lee stood firm to seal yet another straight game victory in this competition.

But his win was as good as Malaysia got, with South Korea sinning the next two matches in comfortable fashion.

An Se-Young brushed off K. Letshaana 21-10, 21-13 in just 33-minutes as the class of the world number two stood out against the women's singles rookie, who came in for Goh Jin Wei.

Men's doubles pair Kim Won-ho-Na Sung-Seong confirmed South Korea's path to the final after they easily overcame Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik 21-12, 21-11 in less than 40 minutes.

The Malaysians can be nonetheless proud of their performance in Suzhou, China after matching their semi-finals feat from two years ago.

South Korea will go on to face China or Japan, who will face each other in Saturday's evening session.