Bangkok: As usual, Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei produced a sensational performance for his team against Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia, as the former World No. 1 beat Ginting straight set 21-19, 21-16 to give Malaysia 1-0 lead in the Thomas Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.
Lee’s heroics could not prevent Malaysia exiting the Thomas Cup competition, as Indonesia’s Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo put their country back on track with a 21-19, 20-22, 21-13 win against Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong.
Indonesian shuttlers including Jonatan Christie (second men’s singles) and Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto (second men’s doubles) overcame Lee Zii Jia 21-15, 11-21, 21-13 and Aaron Chia/Teo Ee Yi 21-18, 10-21,21-9 respectively to lift their team into the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, badminton powerhouse China secured their last four spot early Thursday with a 3-0 clean sweep of Taiwan.
Chen Long dropped one game against Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen in the first singles before bouncing back to score the first point 21-18, 10-21, 21-14.
Due to their weak men’s singles department, it’s expected to be a tense tie for Indonesia when they face China on Friday.
As for Japan, they stormed into the Thomas Cup semi-finals after overcoming France 3-1.
After losing to Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei on Wednesday, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen survived a huge scare on Thursday to beat Korea’s Son Wan-ho 21-14, 14-21, 22-20. The Denmark team ended up beating Korea 3-0 to set up a final-four meeting with Japan.
