China was denied a chance to cleansweep all five titles for the first time in 10 years at the World Championships as Wang Liqin and Rao Jingwen was beaten in the mixed doubles semifinals here on Saturday.

Wang/Rao, the only Chinese pair left in the event, lost to Lee Sangsu /Park Youngsook from South Korea 11-9, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8.

Ten years ago it happened and it has never happened since. Werner Schlager of Austria beat South Korea's Joo Saehyuk in the men's singles final to prevent China a clean sweep of titles.

Since that date in Shanghai, Zagreb, Yokohama and Rotterdam; all five titles on offer have gone the way of China.

The top seeded Wang and Rao was pinned high hopes of winning the event as two other Chinese pairs had already crashed out. But it was Rao did appear nervous and failed to play her best on the big occasion.

"I was nervous at that stage," said Park. "Today we climbed the mountain, we beat China, now I must come back down to earth and prepare for the final."

They will meet Kim Hyok Bong and Kim Jong from DPR Korea, who recovered from the very precipice of defeat, saving match points in the fourth game to overcome Cheung Yuk and Jiang Huajun of Hong Kong 11-13, 9-11, 12-14, 14-12, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7.

It will be the first time since 1989 that the mixed doubles title has not gone to China and only the second time since 1977.