China's world No 1 doubles pair of Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli was elated to reclaim the Uber Cup, the world women's team championship, from archrival South Korea.

However, the duo's joy was tempered by the fact their former partners, Du Jing and Ma Jin, were not at this year's tournament.

Yu and Wang, who lost the two doubles matches in China's 3-1 loss to Korea, were teamed with Du and Ma respectively in 2010, and they couldn't hold back their emotions because their former partners were not there to celebrate beside them on Saturday night.

"We miss them too much," Yu told the post-game press conference. "Du had to retire last year due to a severe injury, but I believe she was as excited as us when she saw us regaining what we lost."

Du tweeted on her micro blog: "Congrats to the national team! Thanks to my old partner, you are the best."

After the departure of injury-plagued Du, Yu teamed with Wang at last year's world championships when Wang's former ally, Ma, turned to the mixed doubles with Xu Chen.

Wang said Ma's absence had provided extra motivation for her to fight during tough moments.

"I grew up with her (Ma). This time, I won it for her. She didn't have the chance to get revenge after jumping to the mixed side, and that gave me huge motivation," said Wang, a Hubei native.

However, the home triumph didn't come easy.

The squad's worst nightmare in 2010 loomed again when opening singles player Wang Yihan dropped the first set and lagged well behind in the second with four match points held by Korean Sung Ji-hyun.

Yu and Wang went to the players' entrance to warm up for the first doubles match not knowing Wang (Yihan) had fought back to give the team a 1-0 lead.

"We were already prepared to play carrying Wang's loss," said Yu.

"Honestly, it would have been a big blow if she had lost. We didn't think we would have to play after the opening match again," Wang (Xiaoli) said.

Boasting world No 1 and No 2 status two years ago, the Yu-Du and Wang-Ma tandems unexpectedly lost to the lower ranked Korean pairs under the huge pressure caused by Wang (Yihan)'s singles defeat.

Wang (Yihan)'s comeback released any tension the pair felt.

"Fortunately, we didn't mess it up again and emerged from the shadow which has trapped us for two years," said Yu.

The rally also provided Wang (Yihan) with redemption.

"I think I've conquered the devil inside my heart. Now, I can proudly say that I'm over the 2010 loss and I've become really mature," said the 24-year-old Wang.

Wang said the glittering Uber Cup trophy, which was placed at courtside, fueled her desire when she felt she was running out of gas.

"During the match break, I took a glimpse at the cup and I felt it was like a deja vu. All those memories flooded back and I thought it 'can't happen again'. Then I calmed down and managed to refocus on the match. It was like the trophy gave me energy."