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China beat Malaysia to reach World Team semis

Khe Wei Woon, left, and Wee Kiong Tan of Malaysia discuss tactics as they compete against Zheng Bo and Gao Ling of China, not seen, on the fourth day of the Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

World Champion Lin Dan suffered a shock defeat to Lee Chong Wei in the men's singles but China still easily beat Malaysia 4-1 to top Division 1 Group A at the Sudirman Cup World Team Championships yesterday.

China, the record five time winners, now meet three time former champions South Korea in tomorrow's semi-finals.

It was in the final rubber that Lin, unbeaten in this championship since 2003, succumbed 21-17, 21-17 to Lee, a former world No.1 who has dropped back to No.4.

But China had already sewn up victory. Zheng Bo and Gao Ling provided the perfect start with a 21-15, 21-17 win over Tan Wee Kiong and Woon Khe Wei in the mixed doubles and Olympic Champion Zhang Ning easily beat Anita Raj Kaur 21-16, 21-10 in the women's singles.

Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng put the result beyond doubt with a 21-9, 21-14 victory over Kien Keat Boo and Boon Heong Tan in the men's doubles.

Chinese coach Li Yongbo wasn't too worried by Lin's defeat.

"I'm delighted with the way China is playing," he said. "We are playing better and better all the time, especially in the men's doubles. I thought they played really well today," he said.

"It was obviously a little disappointing that Lin lost, but I appreciate that it was a dead rubber and so it didn't matter too much."

Li Yongbo, China's badminton coach

"But now we must concentrate on the semi-finals. It doesn't matter who we play, we will be fielding our strongest team. But I feel very good about our chances," Li said.

"It was obviously a little disappointing that Lin lost, but I appreciate that it was a dead rubber and so it didn't matter too much," he said.
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