Iskandar salvages fortunes for 2-1 lead after first doubles stumbles
Malaysia’s Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin returns a shot during the Thomas Cup quarter-finals match against Hsu Jen Hao of Taiwan. — Bernama photo
KUNSHAN, China: Malaysia strolled into the semifinals of the 2016 Thomas Cup Finals after convincingly beating Taiwan 3-1 in a quarterfinal tie at the Kunshan Sports Centre here yesterday, but not without a scare midway.
With the victory, Malaysia took a step closer to qualifying for the men’s final but will have to wait for the outcome of the match between Japan and Denmark to know who their semifinal opponent will be.
Malaysia secured the first point through world number two Datuk Lee Chong Wei who disposed Chou Tien Chen 21-18, 21-18 but Taiwan drew level when Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong unexpectedly lost to Lee Sheng Mu/Tsai Chia Hsin 16-21,21-19, 21-19.
With the tie level at 1-1, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin came on court for the second singles and put up a sizzling performance to defeat Hsu Jen Hao 21-8, 21-13 and regain Malaysia’s advantage.
The country’s second doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong delivered the desired winning point after demolishing Taiwan’s Chen Hung Ling/Wang Chi-Lin 21-16, 22-20 after some anxious moments, especially towards the end of the second set.
Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost Hansen praised Iskandar for his outstanding performance throughout the crucial stages.
“Iskandar played a fantastic match. I hope he will continue his form. We have to talk to our doubles players. They have been playing all the way up and we know they are. But we have to talk about it,” he added.
Chong Wei when met said the entire squad were unaware of their opponent until yesterday morning because the draw was only done at 1am after all the group matches were completed.
“However, we came prepared to face any opponent. Taiwan are not an easy team to beat,” he said
Meanwhile, there was Uber Cup heartbreak for Ratchanok Intanon as Thailand crashed out against India. In the women’s event, second-ranked Ratchanok utilised her crafty backhand and sliced forehands as she beat Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal 21-19, 21-12.
But Pusarla V Sindhu made short work of Busanan Ongbumrungphan and Gadde Ruthvika Shivani beat Nitchadon Jindapol 21-16, 21-18 as India clinched it 3-1. — Bernama/AFP