Indonesia cruise into Thomas Cup final

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Indonesia’s Angga Pratama (left) and Ricky Karanda Suwardi celebrate after winning the doubles in the Thomas Cup. Indonesia won 3-1 to advance to the final. — Bernama photo

Indonesia’s Angga Pratama (left) and Ricky Karanda Suwardi celebrate after winning the doubles in the Thomas Cup. Indonesia won 3-1 to advance to the final. — Bernama photo

KUNSHAN, China: Indonesia beat South Korea 3-1 on Friday to reach the Thomas Cup final and raise hopes of their first victory in 14 years in a competition they once dominated.

Indonesia, who have won the men’s team tournament a record 13 times, proved too strong for South Korea, who stunned hosts China a day earlier. Son Wan-ho, who beat world number one Chen Long in a pulsating quarter-final, glided past Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-10, 21-16 to put South Korea ahead.

But Indonesia rallied in the following match, with Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan securing a 21-15, 21-12 win over Lee Yong-dae and Yoo Yeon-seong.

Anthony Ginting put South Korea on the brink with a 21-18, 21-18 victory over Lee Dong-Keun before doubles pair Angga Pratama and Ricky Karanda Suwardi beat Kim Gi-jung and Kim Sa-rang 21-15, 21-18.

In the women’s Uber Cup competition, Olympic champion Li Xuerui led China into the final as she won a hard-fought three-gamer against India’s Saina Nehwal.

The world number three struggled to her find her groove but eventually established a rhythm, prevailing 21-15, 12-21, 21-17 against the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist.

Wang Shixian snuffed out a late, second-game surge from India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu to win 21-13, 23-21 before doubles duo Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei clinched the tie 21-6, 21-6 against Jwala Gutta

and Nelakurihi Sikki Reddy. — AFP