China shuttlers ease into Thomas Cup final
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-15 10:16

China men's team cruised into the final of Thomas Cup badminton tournament on Friday with a 3-0 blitz of South Korea in the semis.

China first double Huang Sui (L) and Gao Ling (R) hit a return to Japan's Shizuka Yamamoto and Yamada Seiko during their Uber Cup 2004 semi final in Jakarta. It's the first time for China in 14 years that both their men'sand women's teams romped into the tournaments' finals as their women had already qualified for the Uber Cup final with an effortless 3-0 victory over Japan. [Reuters]

It's the first time for China in 14 years that both their men'sand women's teams romped into the tournaments' finals as their women had already qualified for the Uber Cup final with an effortless 3-0 victory over Japan.

World number one Lin Dan came through a tough opening game to beat top Korean Lee Hyun Il 15-11, 15-2 before Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, the world's second-ranked doubles pair, triumphed 15-13, 15-11 against Lee Dong Soo and Kim Dong Moon.

Tall left-hander Bao Chunlai, the world number four, then succumbed 15-2, 15-5 to Shon Seung Mo with his trademark heavy smashes and pinpoint drops.

The Chinese men will next play Indonesia or Denmark for the Thomas Cup on Sunday.

"It doesn't matter whether it's Indonesia or Denmark -- we'll be ready to play them," said China's head coach Li Yongbo.

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