China's world No 2 ranked pair of Tian Jia and Wang Jie beat Hakedal and Torlen of Norway 21-19 19-21 15-9 in their semi-final, while China's second seeded Chen Xue and Zhang stunned reigning Olympic champions and world No 4 ranked Kerri Walsh and Misty May Treanor of the US 21-18 21-18.

"We just played hard today and made very few mistakes. We are striving to improve with each match. We felt very comfortable today against the Americans and controlled our emotions," said the 17-year old Chen Xue.

"This is our fourth final this year. We are happy to play with our compatriots as we may have a chance to revenge the defeat in the quarter-finals on Friday. Tomorrow we will try to be relaxed as much as possible," said the 21-year old Zhang Xi.

Chen and Zhang won only one of the six times they have met Tian and Wang.

However, Tian and Wang avenged the defeat by beating Chen and Zhang two months ago in Poland.

Chen and Zhang have reached three finals this season, winning two silver medals in the Warsaw Open and in the St Petersburg Open.

This is also the fourth final for Tian and Wang. They have won eight medals, including two gold at the Warsaw Open and the Austria Grand Slam.

In the semi-finals for the group losers, Norway's world No 8 Nila Ann Hakedal and Ingrid Torlen defeated Morgane Faure and Virginie Sarpaux of France 21-16 21-19, while China's world No 3 pair Chen Xue and Zhang Xi outlasted American Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs 25-23 21-19.

The third-place play-off between Hakedal and Torlen of Norway and Americans May and Walsh will be played at 3pm before the all-Chinese final.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation

Phuket