China beats RI in group match in Sudirman Cup

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The mighty Chinese team subdued a spirited challenge from Indonesia in their final group B tie in the Sudirman Cup mixed team badminton championship on Thursday.

Although the visitors were defeated 3-0, with the men's doubles and women's doubles still to play, they served notice that they will not go quietly if the two teams meet in the final on Sunday.

Although China, Indonesia, Denmark and defending champion Korea are already through to the last four, Thursday's showdowns were crucial in determining the final group standings for the winner-vs-runner-up crossover semifinals on Saturday.

China went ahead after Olympic mixed doubles gold medalists Zhang Jun and Gao Ling rallied from a game down to beat veteran men's doubles player Flandi Limpele and Yunita Tetty 12-15, 15-8, 15-2.

The Indonesians, in for the resting top mixed doubles pair of Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir, could offer little resistance as the Chinese whipped up the pace into a frenzy.

In the men's singles, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, replacing Athens gold medalist Taufik Hidayat, also put up a fight before losing 17-14, 15-10 to world number one Lin Dan.

Sony, ranked 21 and returning from a long injury layoff, fought back from 0-6 in the first game, parrying the Chinese player's powerful smashes with skilled net play.

Sony reached 13-11, but suddenly overhit a series of shots, allowing the 2005 All England runner-up to take the game.

It was a similar story in the second game, with Sony mounting a comeback after falling behind but unable to take the big points.

Although Indonesia rested some of its top players, China fielded its very best, including women's world number one Xie Xingfang

The winner of six tournament titles, including the All England, since she was left of the team for the Athens Olympics in 2004, Xie showed her superlative class against Fransisca Ratnasari, winning 11-5, 11-0.

In the Denmark versus Korea tie, the teams were tied at 2-2 at press time.

Denmark vs Korea

Men's singles

Peter Gade (Den) bt Lee Hyun Il 9-15, 15-13, 15-6

Women's singles

Seo Yoon Hee (Kor) bt Tine Rasmussen (Den) 13-10, 15-3

Men's doubles

Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen (Den) bt Kim Dong Moon/Ha Tae Kwon (Kor) 15-11, 15-3

Women's doubles

Lee Kyung won/Lee Hyo Jung (Kor) bt Helle Nielsen/Pernille Harder 15-7, 15-7