China, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia Advance to Thomas Cup Semis

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, May 15, 2002

China, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia Advance to Thomas Cup Semis

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

After a life-and- death clash with South Korea, China walked into the semi-finals together with defending champions Indonesia, Malaysia and Denmark at the Thomas Cup World Team Badminton Championship Tuesday in Guangzhou.

In front of the packed stadium, the Korean found it was hard to play against the hosts before their dream of winning the first ever Thomas Cup was faded by the local favorites.

With a mixed line-up of experience and youth, China earned their ticket to the semi-finals thanks to Xia Xuanze, Lin Dan and reconstructed doubles Zhang Wei/Chen Qiqiu.

Xia, world number one, had a good start by breezing past newly- crowned All Japan champion Lee Hyun II in three games by 7-5, 7-1, 7-5 with his speed, precise net plays and powerful jump smashings of all court.

Korean Open winner Lin Dan won a hard fight over Shon Seung Mo 7-5, 7-2, 7-2, which had many seesaw of the services from the beginning till the end.

The Koreans held high hopes on their strong tradition doubles which were also re-combined by taking apart former world champions Kim Dong Moon/Ha Tae Kwan with second doubles Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung.

The new pair Kim Dong Moon/Yoo Yong Sun prevailed in the third match 3-0 but Ha Tae Kwon/Lee Dong Soo met troubles with Zhang Wei/ Chen Qiqiu who secured the victory for the host, winning a surprised 7-3, 4-7, 7-3, 7-1.

Zhang said after the decisive match:"It was the first time that Chen and I played together in a match. That was why we played more relaxed and confident against the Korean rivals."

Coming back as a coveted national champion last Nonmember, veteran Luo Yigang showed his consistency with a 7-4, 7-4, over Jang Young Soo.

Li Yongbo, head coach of China, said:"We knew that we could win the match against South Korea. We have never lost to them before and so did tonight."

"Our doubles performed their high spirit in today's fight and that made me satisfactory," the Chinese coach said.

In another Group A match, Denmark outclassed their European rivals Sweden 5-0, seizing the second spot to the last four with two wins and one loss which was handed in by China.

Four-time champions Indonesia led in the Group B after winning a no-suspense 5-0 over Germany, who qualified for the Thomas Cup for the first time, and stayed on top in Group B.

Malaysia showed a class apart of their Thai rivals, who entered the final stage for the first time since 1994 by a clear-cut advantage 5-0.

In semi-finals starts on May 16, Indonesia faces Denmark and China will play Malaysia on May 17.

Indonesia holds the record of victories in the Thomas Cup history with 12 wins, far ahead of Malaysia five and China four.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China Nails down South Korea 4-1 at Thomas Cup

China Confident of Beating South Korea in Thomas Cup

China Knocks out Denmark in Thomas Cup

Desertification Threat Advancing on Beijing ( 8 Messages)

China to Launch First Space Solar Telescope in 2005 ( 6 Messages)

China Is Among Countries with Wide Income Gap ( 20 Messages)

FM Spokesman on Anti-China Items In U.S. Defense Bill ( 41 Messages)

Spirit of May 4 Movement Still Inspires Chinese Youth ( 60 Messages)

Harvard Project in China Violates Farmers' Rights ( 26 Messages)

FM Spokesman on Consulate Intrusion Accident ( 19 Messages)

EP Always Picks on China with Cynical Remarks ( 12 Messages)