Sudirman Cup: China power into quarters
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E-mail Xinhua, May 17, 2023
Wang Chang/Liang Weikeng (R) of China compete during the men's doubles match against Kwek Jun Liang Andy/Loh Kean Hean of Singapore of the Group A match between China and Singapore at BWF Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
Hosts China stormed into the knockout stage after whitewashing Singapore in the second round of the group stage of badminton's Sudirman Cup on Tuesday.
The hosts, who aimed at title defense, had thrashed Egypt 5-0 in their opener on Sunday before easing to another 5-0 over Singapore in Suzhou. They will take on Denmark on Thursday for the first place in Group A.
Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong put China ahead in the opening mixed doubles, beating Hee Yong Kai Terry and Tan Wei Han Jessica 22-20, 21-19 in a 43-minute thriller.
"We watched their match against Denmark, they are in good form, so we were prepared for the inferior game and crucial points, or even the third set," said Huang.
"Mixed doubles is the first tie, so it's a big task for us. We have some pressure, so it's good to release ourselves on the court," Zheng added.
Shi Yuqi extended the lead in the men's singles by defeating Teh Jia Heng Jason 21-10, 21-17, before He Bingjiao eased past Yeo Jia Min 22-20, 21-15 to claim the berth of the last eight for the holders.
According to Shi, he had prepared against 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew, but he adjusted his tactics after learning the opponent was Teh.
Chen Qingchen (R)/Jia Yifan of China compete during the women's doubles match against Jin Yujia/Wong Jia Ying Crystal of Singapore of the Group A match between China and Singapore at BWF Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
"After seeing the list come out, I have tried to adjust my mentality, because I need to fully pay attention. Anything can happen in a team competition, and my tactics and mentality need to change depending on the opponent," Shi told Xinhua.
In the men's doubles, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang recovered from one set down to beat Kwek Jun Liang Andy and Loh Kean Hean 19-21, 21-13, 21-14.
World No. 1 women's pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan smashed Jin Yu Jia and Wong Jia Ying Crystal 21-7, 21-8.
The other matchup in Group A saw Egypt join Singapore to crash out of the tournament with a 5-0 loss to Denmark. Also on Tuesday, Indonesia beat Germany 4-1 and Thailand also got a 4-1 victory over Canada in Group B
