Malaysia edges out Denmark while China powers into Thomas Cup semis

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The 2003 All England champion Muhd Hafiz Hashim recovered from the vital loss Tuesday night to lift the host Malaysia into the Thomas Cup semifinals here Wednesday with a thrilling 3-2 win over Denmark, setting up a tough clash with reigning champion China.

The Malaysian shuttlers, with their back to the wall after a surprising 3-2 defeat by Japan in the group stage, continued their journey at home court when Hafiz clinched the winning point, defeating Denmark's Joachim Persson 21-12, 21-10.

"I cannot describe my feelings in securing the winning point to keep Malaysia in the tournament and a place in the semifinals," said an excited Hafiz. It was a similar scenario on Tuesday when Malaysians took a 2-0 lead before they were pulled back to 2-2.

The world's top player Lee Chong Wei opened the victory when he beat Denmark's veteran Peter Gade 21-17, 21-17 in 49 minutes, followed by Koo Kean Keat/Tan Boon Heong's win over Carsten Mogensen/Mathias Boe in the first doubles 21-17, 21-19.

Denmark then pushed the match into a final decider when 21-year-old Jan O Jorgensen outdid Malaysia's veteran Wong Choong Hann 22-20, 16-21, 21-18 and Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen edged out a scratch second doubles Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Hoon Thien How in a thrilling clash 24-26, 21-12, 21-19 in 74 minutes.

Their reward will be a semifinal clash against reigning champion China, who overwhelmed South Korea in the quarterfinals, which was a repeated match in 24 hours.

The Chinese shuttlers who defeated South Korea in the group decider 4-1 on Tuesday, locked the victory 3-0, leaving no chance for their opponents to send the second doubles or third singles, which might be both troublesome.

The Olympic and world champion Lin Dan strived for the vital points in both sets to win over Park Sung Hwan, once called "Lin Dan finisher", 21-16, 21-15, compared with a close win Tuesday 21-18, 25-23.

"I am more relaxed today after the tough match yesterday," said Lin. "Both of us played very well today. However, when we are both in good form, it is me that did better."

Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng, the 2006 world champion doubles, again gave China a 2-0 lead when they outdid South Korea's top doubles player Jung Jae Sung and his new partner Shin Baek Cheol in 29 minutes 21-11, 21-16 before Chen Jin, third ranked single in the world, sealed the victory for China by beating South Korea's youngster Shon Wan Ho again 21-15, 21-12.

In the other half zone, Indonesia, the 13-time champion of the men's team tournament, also repeated their win against India in the group stage 3-0, setting up another semifinal with Japan on Friday, who outplayed Germany 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Editor: Mo Hong'e

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