China keeps perfect, facing Denmark in quarter-finals of Sudirman Cup

Powerhouses China, Japan, South Korea all qualified as the group winners for the quarterfinals on the last day of the group round at the 2019 Sudirman Cup here on Wednesday.

The quarter-finals draw saw China to face Denmark, South Korea to take on Thailand, Chinese Taipei to battle with Indonesia, and Malaysia to match up with Japan.

China swept India 5-0 for its second straight victory to top the group 1D. The host took the opening mixed doubles when world No.2 Huang Dongping and Wang Yilyu overwhelmed Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Reddy N. Sikki 21-5, 21-11.

The Rio Olympic champion Chen Long extended China's overall lead to 2-0 with a hard-fought win over Sameer Verma 21-17, 22-20 in men's singles, while Han Chengkai and Zhou Haodong came from behind to clinch the men's doubles by beating Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 18-21, 21-15 and 21-17.

Chen Long celebrates after a 2-0 hard-fought win over Sameer Verma 21-17, 22-20 in men's singles during the group match between China and India at the Sudirman Cup on May 22, 2019 in Nanning, China. [Photo: IC]

"When the match started, we felt a little bit nervous and were shocked by their aggressive play, and we played in a rather conservative manner," Han said.

In women's singles, All England champion Chen Yufei defeated Saina Nehwal 21-12, 21-15 to made it 4-0 before world No. 3 Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan completed the rout for China in women's doubles.

Defending champion South Korea edged past Chinese Taipei 3-2 to top the Group 1C as the 17-year-old An Se-young shocked top-ranked Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 21-18, 21-16.

"I think she defends and moves well, she's good in all aspects of the game and will be an outstanding player in future for sure." Tai said.

Top-seeded Japan eased to a 4-1 win over Thailand to stay top of Group 1A. Top-ranked Kento Momota, who was absent in Japan's opening match against Russia, rebounded from a 14-19 deficit in the first game to beat Sitthikom Thammasin 21-19, 21-10 in men's singles.

Japan showed its strength in all three doubles fixtures while Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong upset world No.4 Akane Yamaguchi, the first Japanese to win the Badminton Asia Championships women's title, 9-21, 21-14, 22-20 in 71 minutes.

European powerhouse Denmark, who lost its Group 1B opener against England, secured a berth of quarter-finals after beating the group leader Indonesia 3-2.

Denmark got off with a 2-0 lead by claiming the victories in mixed doubles and men's singles. Indonesia pull one back in men's doubles, but Mia Blichfeldt claimed the winning point for Denmark by cruising past Fitriani Fitriani 21-13, 21-19 in women's singles.

The quarter-finals of 2019 Sudirman Cup will be played from May 23-24.