China dominant in Thomas and Uber Cup defence

by Martin Parry Sun May 11, 2:43 PM ET

JAKARTA (AFP) - Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang led China to crushing victories in defence of their titles at the Thomas and Uber Cup team championships on Sunday, but Indonesia's men were given a wake-up call.

World number one Lin barely broke a sweat in beating Nigeria's Greg Orobosa Okuonghea 21-6, 21-11 to lead his team to a 5-0 whitewash.

Third-ranked Bao Chunlai was equally dominant, sweeping past Akeem Ogunseye 21-9, 21-3 while world number four Chen Jin demolished Jimkan Bulus 21-7, 21-6.

With doubles pairings Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng and He Hanbin and Shen Ye also firing, China look in fine fettle as they seek to win the sport's most coveted trophy for a third straight time.

Their women counterparts were on an equal footing in the Uber Cup, beating former world power the United States 5-0 with Lin's girlfriend and world number one Xie whipping Eva Lee 21-10, 21-7.

Lu Lan and Zhu Lin also notched lopsided singles wins before doubles hotshots Gao Ling and Zhao Tingting and Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen rubbed salt into American wounds.

"I hope both trophies can stay in our country a bit longer," China's head coach Li Yongbo said. China has held the Uber Cup for 10 years and the Thomas Cup for four years.

The Taufik Hidayat-led Indonesia is considered the best chance of derailing the Chinese juggernaut in the Thomas Cup, but they were rattled by Thailand.

Sony Dwi Kuncoro crashed to Boonsak Ponsana in the opening singles before Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawen clawed a point back.

Olympic champion Hidayat should have put his team in driving seat but instead slumped 23-21, 21-18 to Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in front of a vocal home crowd.

Joko Riyadi and Hendra Gunawen rescued Indonesia in the second doubles before Simon Santoso wrapped it up in the third singles with an easy win over Pakkawat Vilailak.

The Thais played twice on Sunday, eeking out a 3-2 win over Germany with Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk winning a crucial final rubber against Marcel Reuter.

World number two Lee Chong Wei spearheaded Malaysia's drive for their first title since 1992 with a 21-17, 21-15 win over Andrew Smith as they pounded a hapless England 5-0.

Europe's best chance of success here, Denmark, hammered New Zealand by the same scoreline, with former world champion Peter Gade in top form.

Japan and South Korea were seen as China's closest challengers in the Uber Cup, but Japan suffered a setback by losing 4-1 to Indonesia despite Eriko Hirose taking the first game.

The Malaysian women will be buoyed by a 5-0 romp over New Zealand, with world number 10 Wong Choo Mew leading the charge.

Mew was nervy in the first set against Rachel Hindley as she struggled to read the drafts on court but knuckled down to win 21-18, 21-6.

"Today was our first match and we just wanted to get a feel for the court and the drafts in the stadium," she said.

"As a team, we're really happy and confident after today's performance."

The Koreans pulled off a similarly easy 5-0 rout of South Africa, but singles coach Kim Hak-Kyun can't see anyone upsetting China's formidable Uber Cup team.

"We are not scared of anyone and will fight to win every point, but in the Uber Cup China's women are much too strong for any team here," he said.

In evening Uber Cup action, Germany beat the United States 5-0 and Denmark overcame New Zealand 4-1.