Reigning champions China, both men and women, waltzed into the semi-finals on Wednesday in Tokyo at 2006 Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton championships when the Chinese knocked out the English men and Singaporean women with an identical easy scores of 3-0. But the day belongs to the debutants German women, who stunned the favourites Hong Kong, China 3-2. It's the first time for them to enter the top four in the world women's team event.
"Athough we met a little difficulties to win the match, we are getting better and better comparing to the performances in the group stage in Sendai," said Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese team, adding that China will prepare carefully to the next match probably against experienced Indonesians, who will take on hosts Japan. World number one Lin Dan got a flying start for China, but he was fully stretched in three games after conceding the first game. He came from behind to trounce world no. 32 Andrew Smith 18-21, 21-18 and 21-18 in the first singles.
"The reasons that I gave up the first game are that I was not excited on the court and also I cann't adapt to the wind in the gymnasium," said the reigning world runner-up. Cai Yun paired with Fu Haifeng, ranked 3rd in the world, added the second point to their team by ousting Kristian Roebuck and Ian Palethorpe 21-12 and 21-12 in the frist doubles.
England did not put on their first doubles Anthony Clark and Robert Blair, who are ranked 9th in world ranking. "They did not appear here because of injuries caused in European championships last month," said English coach Ian Wright. In the second singles, China's Bao Chunlai sealed the match by taming down Nicholas Kidd 21-12 and 21-15 and finishing the match in 130 minutes.
In the Uber cup, China, spearheaded by Olympic champion Zhang Ning, toppled Singapore without losing one game. "We are going to take the fifth title in a row this time, because no team can not stop the Chinese women winning streak," said Li Yongbo.
China will meet Germany in the semi-finals on Thursday. Hong Kong, China, finished fourth in the Asian qualifying zone in February, lost to the European bronze medalists Germans 3-2. "We are very very happy now," said German coach, Detlef Poste, "now we have the chance to face the world best team China in the semi. We will just show our best."
