China, Denmark to clash in semis

Dave Thompson

Holders China beat South Korea 5-0 on Wednesday to line up a Sudirman Cup world mixed team badminton semi-final clash with Denmark.

The Danes battled hard and long in the other elite group match before Indonesia asserted themselves, eventually winning 3-2. The Indonesians, like China unbeaten at the group stage, now meet the Koreans in Friday's other semi-final.

The Chinese, with massive strength in depth, fielded two of their best in the singles divisions and it paid off against a useful Korean outfit who had impressed when beating Sweden 5-0 on Tuesday.

World ranked two Zhou Mi won her women's match 11-5, 13-10 and Chen Hong, rated four in the men's rankings, clinched the best of five tie at 3-0 with a comfortable 15-8, 15-6 victory over Shon Seung-mo.

Denmark refused to lie down when trailing Indonesia 2-0, Mette Sorensen winning a protracted affair with Yuli Marfuah 9-11, 13-10, 11-6.

The Indonesian men's duo of Sigit Budiarto and Flandi Limpele clinched victory at 3-1, however, winning a tough three-setter 10-15, 15-8, 15-3 against Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen.

The relegation batte of Friday will be between Sweden and England, whose chances took a big blow when Olympic bronze medallist Simon Archer flew home on Wednesday for an operation on a snapped tendon in his knee. He will be out of action for up to nine months.

HOPES ENDED

Earlier in the day, India, led by All-England champion Pullela Gopichand, were beaten 4-1 by Hong Kong, ending their hopes of promotion to the second division, one step off the elite group.

The opportunity of advancement now falls to Hong Kong, who have won all their three round-robin matches in fine style. They face a promotion match with Canada on Thursday.

Gopichand got the Indians off to a level start winning his singles against Tam Kai Chuen 15-10, 15-5 to square the tie at 1-1 but defeats in the mixed and women's doubles made the men's doubles match academic.

In the event, Gopichand's partner Markrose Bristow pulled out with cramp after losing the first game 15-13.

Gopichand, 27, who until Monday had not played since winning the All England title in March, said: "We always knew that Hong Kong would be strong in the doubles."

The Indian now turns his attention to next week's world individual championships starting on Monday.