(From L to R) China's Wang Shixian, Li Xuerui and Wang Yihan celebrate with trophy during the awarding ceremony for the Uber Cup badminton championship in New Delhi, capital of India, May 24, 2014. China claimed the title of the event by beating Japan in the final 3-1. Photo: Xinhua

China beat Japan 3-1 Saturday to lift its 13th Uber Cup women's badminton team title.

Olympic champion and top-ranked player Li Xuerui defeated Minatsu Mitani 21-15, 21-5 before Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi pulled one back for Japan in the first doubles.

Second-ranked Wang Shixian beat Sayaka Takahashi 21-16, 21-12 to put China 2-1 ahead before Zhao Yunlei and Wang Xiaoli won the second doubles match.

Third-ranked Wang Yihan was not needed to play the last match.

This was Japan's first appearance in the final of the Uber Cup since 1981, when it won the last of its five titles.

The Thomas Cup final on Sunday will feature Japan and Malaysia.