# Denmark stage a stunning comeback to win 3-2
# Indonesia stop Korea 3-1
# China-Korea final in Uber Cup
By Rizal Abdullah
Denmark scored another stunning upset in the Thomas Cup Finals in Kunshan – this time the Danes knocking runners-up Malaysia with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in the semi-finals on Friday.
The European champions who knocked out defending champions Japans in the in the quarter-finals, will take on 13 time champions Indonesia in the final on Sunday. In the semi-finals Indonesia defeated South Korea 3-1.
Malaysia looked like easing to an easy win over the Danes after winning the first singles through Datuk Lee Chong Wei and the first doubles through Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong.
World No 2 and team skipper Chong Wei put Malaysia ahead with a 23-21, 21-18 win over Viktor Axeslsen in 54 minutes. This was followed by an impressive 21-18, 21-18 win by V Shem-Wee Kiong over Mathias Boe-Mads Conrad -Petersen in the first doubles.
Then in a complete turnaround Malaysia succumbed to nerves and pressure when Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin was not able to deliver a point in the second singles against Hans-Kristian Vittinghus. The national champion’s 21-18, 21-18 defeat – his first in Kunshan – had a domino effect on Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
The privateers took the first set 21-10 against Denmark’s scratch pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (main pix). However, it woke up the Danes who came back strongly to win the next two sets 21-8, 21-13 which left the tie to be decided in the third singles.
It was simply not Chong Wei Feng’s game against Emil Holst and the Malaysian hope crumbled to a 21-15, 21-18 defeat in 51 minutes – leaving the Malaysian camp shell-shocked by the Danes danced and hugged each other in celebration.
Indonesia with a youngsters winning them the Asian team title earlier this year, once against showed that they are on track in rebuilding a strong Indonesian team for the future.
Christie Jonatan’s 10-21, 16-21 defeat to Son Wan-ho in the first singles did not affect the team’s morale against the Koreans.
Mohamad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan hauled Indonesia back on track with a masterful display of attacking badminton against world No 1 Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong in the first doubles for a 21-15, 21-12 win.
Ginting Anthony then took care of Lee Dong-keun in the second singles, winning 21-18, 21-18 before Angga Pratama- Ricky Karanda Suwardi completed the score with a 21-15, 21-18 win and a place in the final.
In the Uber Cup defending champions China will take on Korea in this year’s final. In the semi-finals on Friday the Chinese were too strong for India and romped to a 3-0 win while the Koreans defeated Japan 3-1.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS (May 20)
Thomas Cup
Denmark beat Malaysia 3-2
(Denmark first)
Singles
Viktor Axelsen lost to Lee Chong Wei 21-23, 18-21
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus beat Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin 21-18, 21-18
Emil Holst beat Chong Wei Feng 21-15, 21-18
Doubles
Mathias Boe-Mads Conrad-Petersen lost to Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kion 18-21, 18=21
Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen beat Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong 10-21, 21-8, 21-13
Indonesia beat South Korea 3-1
(Indonesia first)
Singles
Christie Jonatan lost to Son Wan-ho 10-21, 16-21
Ginting Anthony beat Lee Dong-keun 21-18, 21-18
Doubles
Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan beat Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong 21-15, 21-12
Angga Pratama-Rickey Karanda Suwardi beat Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa-rang 21-15, 21-18
Uber Cup
China beat India 3-0
(China first)
Singles
Li Xuerui beat Saina Nehwal 21-15, 12-21, 21-17
Wang Shixian beat P.V. Sindhu 21-13, 23-21
Doubles
Tiang Qing-Zhao Yunlei beat Jwala Gutta-Sikki Reddy Nelakurihi 21-6, 21-6
South Korea beat Japan 3-1
(Korea first)
Singles
Sung Ji-hyun beat Nozomi Okuhara 21-13, 21-13
Bae Yeom-ju lost to Akane Yamaguchi 17-21, 7-9 (Rtd)
Doubles
Jung Kyung-eun-Shin Seung-chan beat Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi 21-19. 15-21, 21-16
Chang Ye-na-Lee So-hee beat Naoko Fukuman-Karumi Yanao 21-15, 21-14
