China meets Denmark in Thomas Cup final

Tokyo, May 5 (UNI) Denmark ended up on the right side of a thriller against Malaysia while holders China blanked Indonesia as the winners treaded contrasting paths to the final of the Thomas Cup badminton tournament here today.

Denmark overcame a gritty Malaysia 3-2 in a match of fluctuating fortune after Chinese shuttlers had thrashed Indonesia, winning it 3-0 without dropping a game.

Denmark's best bet Peter Gade earned the lead for his side with a hard-earned 21-19, 21-18 victory against Chong Wei Lee but the Malay shuttlers drew parity with Kien Keat Koo and Chong Ming Chan survived a marathon second game to beat the Martin Hansen Lundgaard-Jens Eriksen duo 21-17, 28-30, 21-6.

Denmark regained lead through Kenneth Jonassen's 22-20, 12-21, 21-17 win against Muhd Haziz Hashim but Malaysia won the second doubles as well to catch up with them. This time it was the pair of Tan Fook Choong and Wan Wah Lee who beat Mathias Boe and Cartsen Mogensen 21-13, 15-21, 21-19.

Joachim Persson held his nerve in the final rubber and beat Beng Hong Kuan 21-12, 21-19 to propel Denmark to the final.

In contrast, China meant business right from the beginning and World number one and reigning All England Champion Lin Dan outplayed Olympic gold medallist Hidayat Taufik to make it 1-0 for his side.

Indonesian duo and World number five doubles pair of Hadiyanto Luluk and Alven Yalianto stretched the two rank higher Chinese pair of Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng to deuce but lost steam in the second game and lost the match 22-24, 17-21.

Bao Chunlai, ranked ninth, then completed the rout getting the better of World number 20 Kuncoro Soni Dwi 21-17, 24-22.

Results: China beat Indonesia 3-0: Lin Dan (China) bt Hidayat Taufik (Indonesia) 21-16, 218; Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng (China) bt Hadiyanto Luluk and Alven Yulianto (Indonesia) 24-22, 21-17; Bao Chunlai (China) bt Kuncoro Soni Dwi (Indonesia) 21-17, 24-22.

Denmark beat Malaysia 2-1: Chong Ming Chan/Kien Keat Koo (Malaysia) beat Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen (Denmark) 21-17, 28-30, 21-6; Tan Fook Choong/Wan Wah Lee (Malaysia) beat Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (Denmark) 21-13, 15-21, 21-19; Peter Gade Christensen (Denmark) beat Chong Wei Lee (Malaysia) 21-19, 21-18; Kenneth Jonassen (Denmark) beat Muhd Hafiz Hashim (Malaysia) 20-22, 21-12, 21-17; Joachim Persson (Denmark) beat Beng Hong Kuan (Malaysia) 21-12, 21-19.

UNI XC AY PG PM1843