China topped Group A after a 4-1 win over Korea, Lin Dan started the rout with a two game victory over Park Sung Hwan and Cai and Fu doubled the lead with a win over Jung and Shin in the opening doubles encounter. The injury to Lee Yong Dae has been a massive blow to the Korean squad, but they had reason to celebrate as Yoo and Ko won the second doubles to ensure they did not suffer a 5-0 defeat.
Malaysia took to the court two days later than expected and looked to be in fine form with Lee Chong Wei’s 21-12, 21-13 win over Kenichi Tago and a win from Koo and Tan in the doubles giving them an early 2-0 lead. The Japanese however, won the second singles to pull the rubber back to 2-1 and then tied it up at 2-2 with Hayakawa and Kazuno’s two game victory. The final match was a winner-take-all for the top spot in Group B and it was Shoji Sato of Japan who defeated Hashim Mohammed Hafiz in a 62 minute encounter to seal a stunning come from behind 3-2 victory for the Japanese and top spot in Group B.
Denmark took top spot in Group C with a 4-1 victory over Germany, with Peter Gade defeating Marc Zwiebler in impressive fashion 21-12, 21-7 to start off the Danish rout. Jan O Jorgensen’s surprise defeat to Dieter Domke has left question marks over Denmark’s credentials to win the Thomas Cup, however the two game defeat has been the only losses in the game stage. India took on Australia for a place in the last 8 and the match was settled in just three matches as India swept the singles to book their place in the knockout stages, Glenn Warfe and Ross Smith took one match for the Australians as they fell 4-1 to India.
The random draw for the last 8 was made after the end of play, with China taking on Korea for the second time in two days. Malaysia’s defeat to Japan means they will play Denmark in the quarter finals, whilst Group B winners Japan take on Germany for a place in the last 4 and India take on Indonesia again in a Group D rematch.
China booked their place at the top of Group A with another 5-0 win, this time over hosts Malaysia without the loss of a game. Malaysia takes second place in the group after their 5-0 win over the USA. Indonesia defeated the European champions Denmark with an impressive 5-0 win with the loss of just one game. Pedersen and Rytter Juhl took their doubles to a third game against Polii and Mahweswari.
Japan’s women continued the excellent day for the nation with a 5-0 victory over Russia as the gulf between the Asian and European nations in the women’s game has been on show throughout the group stages. Japan top Group C, only losing one match in the two rubbers. Korea top Group D after losing the opening singles against India, but bounced back to win the next 4 matches to take the rubber 4-1.
India takes on China in the first of the quarter finals tomorrow, with a South East Asian clash in the 2nd quarter final as Indonesia takes on Malaysia. Group D winners Korea take on Russia and Group C winners Japan take on Denmark in the last of tomorrows knockout round.