China reaches Thomas final
Source: Agencies |
May 15, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Olympic champion Lin Dan outplayed world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia to set up a Thomas Cup final with Indonesia.
Despite being billed as the Clash of the Titans, the odds were heavily stacked against hosts Malaysia after sent China fielded a full-strength side. A Lee win was seen as its only chance of getting through.
But a 16,000-capacity crowd watched as the left-handed world No. 2 Lin pipped an out-of-sorts Lee 21-17 in the first set before sealing the Malaysian star's fate with 21-8 thrashing in the second.
The tournament favorites turned the screws with doubles world No. 8 Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng overwhelming Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong to win 21-15, 21-10.
China completed the sweep as world No. 3 Chen Ji proved too strong for Wong Choong Hann, outplaying him 21-16, 21-7.
Earlier, second seeds Indonesia beat Japan 3-1 to seal a spot in the final for the first time since 2002.
Indonesia's top shuttler Taufik Hidayat scored the first point after defeating Kenichi Tago 21-9, 21-14 in 37 minutes at Kuala Lumpur's Putra Stadium. Doubles pair Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan then beat Japan's Kenichi Hayakawa and Kenta Kazuno 21-9, 21-11 in just 29 minutes.
Japan rallied when Sho Sasaki edged Simon Santoso 21-19, 13-21 and 21-11, but its second doubles pair of Noriyasu Hirata and Hiroyuki Endo went down 20-14, 22-20 to Indonesia's Nova Widianto and Alvent Chandra.
China will be favorites against Indonesia who showed great agility and athleticism. China's coach Li Yongbo said his players would have to be on top of their game.
Respect
"The Malaysians played well today and tried their best," he added. "I still respect Malaysia a lot but overall the Chinese players were better than the Malaysians and that is why we won."
They will be wary of world No. 5 Taufik Hidayat who hit his best form so far, forcing All England runner-up Kenichi Tago all over the court with a nonchalant mix of passes, disguised drop shots and smashes to win 21-9, 21-14.
"I feel like I am getting better and better," said the former world and Olympic champion, who has been winning despite inconsistent form in the early stages of the tournament.
"It wasn't an easy game for me but I'm going to improve my game for the final. What counts is I'm fighting for my country."
Indonesia looked fresh after an easy path through the quarters and capitalized on a weary Japan, who had scraped to a five-set win against Malaysia in an epic encounter.
"There is no doubt my condition wasn't very good but I couldn't figure out why, and that was the problem," Tago said.
Despite being billed as the Clash of the Titans, the odds were heavily stacked against hosts Malaysia after sent China fielded a full-strength side. A Lee win was seen as its only chance of getting through.
But a 16,000-capacity crowd watched as the left-handed world No. 2 Lin pipped an out-of-sorts Lee 21-17 in the first set before sealing the Malaysian star's fate with 21-8 thrashing in the second.
The tournament favorites turned the screws with doubles world No. 8 Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng overwhelming Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong to win 21-15, 21-10.
China completed the sweep as world No. 3 Chen Ji proved too strong for Wong Choong Hann, outplaying him 21-16, 21-7.
Earlier, second seeds Indonesia beat Japan 3-1 to seal a spot in the final for the first time since 2002.
Indonesia's top shuttler Taufik Hidayat scored the first point after defeating Kenichi Tago 21-9, 21-14 in 37 minutes at Kuala Lumpur's Putra Stadium. Doubles pair Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan then beat Japan's Kenichi Hayakawa and Kenta Kazuno 21-9, 21-11 in just 29 minutes.
Japan rallied when Sho Sasaki edged Simon Santoso 21-19, 13-21 and 21-11, but its second doubles pair of Noriyasu Hirata and Hiroyuki Endo went down 20-14, 22-20 to Indonesia's Nova Widianto and Alvent Chandra.
China will be favorites against Indonesia who showed great agility and athleticism. China's coach Li Yongbo said his players would have to be on top of their game.
Respect
"The Malaysians played well today and tried their best," he added. "I still respect Malaysia a lot but overall the Chinese players were better than the Malaysians and that is why we won."
They will be wary of world No. 5 Taufik Hidayat who hit his best form so far, forcing All England runner-up Kenichi Tago all over the court with a nonchalant mix of passes, disguised drop shots and smashes to win 21-9, 21-14.
"I feel like I am getting better and better," said the former world and Olympic champion, who has been winning despite inconsistent form in the early stages of the tournament.
"It wasn't an easy game for me but I'm going to improve my game for the final. What counts is I'm fighting for my country."
Indonesia looked fresh after an easy path through the quarters and capitalized on a weary Japan, who had scraped to a five-set win against Malaysia in an epic encounter.
"There is no doubt my condition wasn't very good but I couldn't figure out why, and that was the problem," Tago said.
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