The Netherlands and Russia earned tight victories in the Sudirman Cup mixed team championships yesterday, giving themselves a chance of promotion to the highest tier of the competition.
On day two of the tournament, the Netherlands beat Poland 3-2, while in another group two match, Russia squeezed past Singapore by the same score at a virtually empty Guangzhou Gymnasium.
In the third level of competition, India started emphatically, thumping Australia 4-1, while Ukraine edged out a dogged Scotland 3-2.
PHOTO: AFP
In group four matches Switzerland beat the Philippines 4-1 while South Africa downed Luxembourg by the same scoreline.
Later yesterday, Malaysia were due to play Hong Kong and Indonesia were to face England in group one matches.
Meanwhile, the first case of swine flu in mainland China will have no immediate effect on the tournament, an official said yesterday.
A man has been hospitalized in southwest China with the A(H1N1) flu virus but the championships would carry on regardless an organizing official said.
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