China's Xu Chen and Ma Jin (below) compete during the mixed doubles bronze medal match of Badminton against China's Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 16, 2016. Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei won the bronze medal. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The first medal of badminton event at 2016 Rio Olympic Games came to China as Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei defeated their compatriots Xu Chen/Ma Jin in the mixed doubles bronze medal match 21-7, 21-11 here on Tuesday.
Two Chinese duos, gold and silver medalists at London Olympic Games, lost to their opponents in the semifinals on Monday to ensure a bronze medal for China in advance.
Japan's Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi and Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark are winners in women's doubles semifinals and they will compete for the gold medal on Thursday.
China's Tang/Yu were defeated by the Denmark duos 16-21, 21-14, 19-21. It is the first time no Chinese duo in the gold medal final in women's doubles since 1992. Tang/Yu will compete for a bronze medal against Jung Kyung Eun/Shin Seung Chan of South Korea the day after tomorrow.
Three-time Olympic shuttler Yu announced her retirement after the loss.
China ensured at least a medal in men's doubles as Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan headed the final by defeating Britain's Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge 21-14, 21-18. The other Chinese duo Chai Biao/Hong Wei were edged out by Malaysia's Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong 18-21, 21-12, 17-21, failing to ensure a gold medal for China in advance.
"It's normal to get nervous before match as everyone will get nervous in Olympic Games. My teammates' loss won't affect me at all as it will be quite unprofessional for a professional veteran," said the 32-year-old Fu, who has made the men's doubles final for the third time and claimed a gold medal in London.
Spain's Carolina Marin, Japan's Nozomi Okuhara, PV Sindhu of India and China's Li Xuerui entered the last four of the women's singles.
The defending champion Li Xuerui spent 38 minutes to defeat Pomtip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand 21-12, 21-17.
"I'm quite nervous today, so I try my best to focus on myself. Getting each point is tough, but the hard process will be helpful for my preparation for the next round as the opponent is Spain's Marin," said Li.
Third seed Wang Yihan, silver medalist at London Games, failed to make a further move as she lost to India's PV Sindhu 20-22, 19-21.
