China retains Thomas Cup title

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 05/18/2008 10:51 PM | Headlines

China won Sunday the Thomas Cup men's team badminton championship, beating South Korea 3-1 in the final.

The victory made China retain all three world's team championship trophies: the Thomas Cup, the Uber Cup and the Sudirman Cup.

The Chinese woman team won the Uber Cup on Saturday, eking out a 3-0 win over host Indonesia.

Its mixed team won the Sudirman Cup last year, outclassing Indonesia 3-0 in Glasgow, Scotland.

In the Thomas Cup final on Sunday, Xie Zhong Bo and Guo Zhengdong sealed the win for China with a 21-12, 19-21, 21-12 win over Lee Jae-jin and Hwang Ji-man in the second doubles match at Jakarta's Istora Stadium.

The Associated Press reported that op-ranked Lin Dan recovered from a slow start to defeat Park Sung-hwan 10-21, 21-18, 21-8 in the first singles match of the elite men's tournament.

"I had to win the first point for China," Lin said. "Park was able to stretch me to all parts of the court, but I came back in the second game and was able to play my usual game."

South Korea's doubles team of Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae tied the series at 1-1 with a 25-23, 21-16 win over Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng.

Bao Chunlai gave China a 2-1 lead with a 28-26, 21-11 win over Lee Hyun-il, before Xie and Guo wrapped up the victory in the second doubles match. (***)

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