It’s China again

THE towering Xie Zhongbo-Guo Zhengdong were not expected to win a single match in the Thomas Cup Finals. But they were mobbed and hugged by their jubilant team-mates at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta last night.

The duo pulled off a sensational 21-12, 19-21, 21-12 win over the more fancied Lee Jae-jin-Hwang Ji-man to give China the winning point in a 3-1 victory over South Korea in the Thomas Cup final.

It was the third consecutive win in the series and seventh overall for China since they made a winning debut in the world men's team championships in London in 1982.

Shortlived joy: South Korea’s Jung Jae-sung (left) and Lee Yong-dae celebrating after beating China’s Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun Sunday. – Reuters

The other two points for China last night were won by world number one Lin Dan and world number three Bao Chunlai.

China dropped a point in the first doubles through Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng, who were blown away by All-England champions Jung Jae-sung-Lee Yong-dae 23-25, 16-21.

It was dejection for the Koreans as they saw their hopes of winning the Thomas Cup go up in smoke. But still, the Koreans can walk tall for reaching their first-ever final and bowing out fighting in the final.

The first match of the night between Lin Dan and Park Sung-hwan set the tempo for the keenly contested tie.

Crucial win: Bao Chunlai of China stretching to return a shot against Lee Hyun-il of South Korea Sunday. Chunlai won 28-26, 21-11. – AFP

Lin Dan came charging back after losing the first game tamely at 10-21. With more ferocity in his attacks, a pumped up Lin Dan slowly broke Sung-hwan resolve in the second game, winning 21-18. After winning the decider at 21-8, he celebrated as though China had won the Cup.

He bowed to the spectators, waved repeatedly and even threw his shirt to the delight of the thousands of spectators in the stadium.

“I am so happy to have delivered the first point. There was so much of pressure,” said Lin Dan, who crashed to a tame defeat by Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals on Friday.

But China's celebration died off briefly in the first doubles when Jae-sung-Yong-dae fought tooth and nail to level the tie, beating Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng 25-23, 21-16.

In the second singles, Lee Hyun-il gave Chunlai a run for his money in the first game. Hyun-il took a comfortable lead at 14-11 and raised hopes on the Korean ability to lift the Cup but Chunlai refused to buckle.

Chunlai fought back, unleashing his deadly smashes to keep pace with the Korea and hung on for a 28-26 win.

In the second game, Chunlai had no problem against the demoralised Hyun-il, romping home for a 21-11 win.

The lanky Chunlai, who had beaten Hyun-il with less effort in their last five meetings, said: “I certainly did not expect the first game to be so close.

“He (hyun-il) put so much pressure on me but after the deuce, I was more determined. I stayed focused and I am very pleased, I was able to overcome the pressure,” he said.