Malaysia edges out Denmark while China powers into Thomas Cup semis

The 2003 All England champion Muhd Hafiz Hashim recovered from the vital loss Tuesday night to lift the host Malaysia into the Thomas Cup semifinals here Wednesday with a thrilling 3-2 win over Denmark, setting up a tough clash with reigning champion China.

The Malaysian shuttlers, with their back to the wall after a surprising 3-2 defeat by Japan in the group stage, continued their journey at home court when Hafiz clinched the winning point, defeating Denmark's Joachim Persson 21-12, 21-10.

"I cannot describe my feelings in securing the winning point to keep Malaysia in the tournament and a place in the semifinals," said an excited Hafiz. It was a similar scenario on Tuesday when Malaysians took a 2-0 lead before they were pulled back to 2-2.

The world's top player Lee Chong Wei opened the victory when he beat Denmark's veteran Peter Gade 21-17, 21-17 in 49 minutes, followed by Koo Kean Keat/Tan Boon Heong's win over Carsten Mogensen/Mathias Boe in the first doubles 21-17, 21-19.

Denmark then pushed the match into a final decider when 21-year-old Jan O Jorgensen outdid Malaysia's veteran Wong Choong Hann 22-20, 16-21, 21-18 and Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen edged out a scratch second doubles Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Hoon Thien How in a thrilling clash 24-26, 21-12, 21-19 in 74 minutes.

Their reward will be a semifinal clash against reigning champion China, who overwhelmed South Korea in the quarterfinals, which was a repeated match in 24 hours.


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