China knock Malaysia out of Thomas Cup final

 

Malaysia’s second doubles pair of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were defeated 18-21, 21-19, 21-12 to hand China a place in the Thomas Cup final. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: China booked a place in the Thomas Cup final, where they will meet Indonesia, after taking a 3-1 lead against Malaysia in the semi-final in Chengdu tonight.

China’s He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu secured the winning point by defeating Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 18-21, 21-19, 21-12 in the second doubles encounter.

Malaysia got off to a poor start in the opening match when singles ace Lee Zii Jia made a tame exit, falling by 21-19, 21-5 to China’s world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi, his fifth loss to the Chinese ace in six meetings.

However, the doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik recovered a point to put the national side level with China. They scored a remarkable 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 victory over the Chinese world No 1 pair of Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang.

However, second singles plater Leong Jun Hao failed to keep up Malaysia’s momentum when he lost in straight games of 21-17, 21-10 to China’s Li Shi Feng.

This was Malaysia’s first Thomas Cup semi-final appearance in eight years since the 2016 tournament in Kunshan.

In the other semi-final, Indonesia entered the final after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead over Taiwan. Results:

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting bt Chou Tien Chen 21-18, 21-19.

Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto bt Lee Yang-Wang Chi-Lin 16-21, 21-19, 21-18.

Jonatan Christie bt Wang Tzu Wei 21-11, 21-16. - FMT