China beats RI in group match in Sudirman Cup

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