China cruises to Thomas and Uber Cups’ quarter-finals

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NEW DELHI: China kept world champion Lin Dan on the sidelines as they cruised into the quarter-finals of the men’s Thomas Cup in New Delhi on Monday, soon after the women had made the grade in the Uber Cup.

The Chinese men, aiming for a record sixth successive title in badminton’s premier team championships, overpowered Russia 5-0 to record their second win in group D.

Lin, who had played the third singles in the 5-0 rout of France on Sunday, made way for Tian Houwei, who whipped Anatoliy Yartsev in straight games to fashion his side’s easy win.

The Chinese women, seeking their eighth Uber Cup title in the last nine competitions since 1998, moved into the knock-out rounds with a 5-0 drubbing of England.

It was the second successive win for the favourites, who boast the world’s top three women’s players in their ranks, having beaten Russia by a similar margin on Sunday.

England will join China in the quarter-finals from group W if they beat winless Russia in their last preliminary match on Wednesday.

South Korea’s men, runners-up to China in the Thomas Cup final two years ago, and Malaysia booked the two quarter-final spots from group C.

The South Koreans conceded the second and third singles to India, but won both the doubles ties after Son Wan-Ho had taken the opening singles against K. Srikanth in three games.

Malaysia, who thrashed India 4-1 on Sunday, beat Germany by the same scoreline after world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei toyed with Marc Zwiebler 21-14, 21-8 in a dominant performance.

France, playing in the Thomas Cup for the first time, came from behind to stun Taiwan 3-2 and keep their hopes alive of a quarter-final spot from group D behind China.

Taiwan was leading 2-1 when Thomas Rouxel drew level with a thrilling 20-22, 21-19, 21-19 win over Kuei Chun Shih.

Brice Leverdez and Lucas Corvee then sealed the French win by beating Tsai Chia Hsin and Lee Sheng Mu 14-21, 21-13, 21-14.

France must defeat Russia on Tuesday to qualify for the quarter-finals, provided Taiwan do not upset mighty China.

Former men’s champions Indonesia opened their campaign with a 5-0 demolition of Singapore despite world number five Tommy Sugiarto facing a tough three-game battle from Derek Wong in the opening singles.

Sugiarto won 21-11, 17-21, 21-15 after an hour-long struggle, but the Indonesians did not drop a game in the remaining four matches of the group A tie.

World number eight Boonsak Ponsana led Thailand to a 5-0 rout of Nigeria to stay on course for a quarter-final berth from group A alongside Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Indian and Thai women will face off on Tuesday to determine the top team from group Y after both made it to the quarter-finals with their second win.

India beat Hong Kong 4-1, while Thailand blanked Canada 5-0.

Both the Thomas and Uber Cup events this year have been expanded to 16 nations from 12 in previous years, with four preliminary groups sending two teams each into the quarter-finals. — AFP