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China set up showdown with Indonesia
Badminton giants China are the strong favourites to lift the prestigious Sudirman Cup for the fifth time today when they meet Indonesia in the final of the world mixed team championships. The host nation booked their spot in the final with a convincing 3-0 win over South Korea yesterday at Beijing’s Capital Gymnasium following Indonesia’s 3-0 sweep of Denmark in the other semi-final. It was sweet revenge for China after their shock loss to the Koreans in the 2003 final in Eindhoven. Indonesia won the inaugural edition of the biennial tournament in 1989, but China took home the trophy in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001. Few would bet against them adding 2005 to the list given the way they have played so far this week. Olympic champions Zhang Jun-Gao Ling opened China’s account against South Korea, with a 15-11, 11-15, 15-8 win over Lee Jae-jin-Lee Hyo-jung. Lin Dan then demonstrated why he is the world number one men’s singles player with a 15-9, 15-11 victory over Jang Young-soo. Zhang Ning, the women's world number two, cemented China’s place in the final with an 11-2, 11-1 win over Lee Yun-hwa to spark the celebrations. Earlier, Indonesia got off to the perfect start in the key mixed doubles rubber with Nova Widianto-Lilyana Natsir handing down a comprehensive 15-4, 15-7 thrashing of Jens Eriksen-Kamilla Juhl. Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat then outfought former world number one Peter Gade-Christensen 15-10, 15-3. Camilla Sorensen, who was promoted to the semi-final line-up after Tine Rasmussen raptured her Achilles tendon against South Korea on Thursday, won the opening game of the women’s singles 11-3 against Fransisca Hari. But despite the vocal support from the crowd she lost the second game 8-11. Fransisca then seized on her momentum to take the final game 11-2 and clinch Indonesia’s spot in the final. Indonesian head coach Christian Hadinata, surprised at the ease of victory, said it would be a much sterner test today against China. He insisted, however, that Indonesia had the firepower to cope with whatever was thrown at them. “As long as all our players play like they did today then we are confident that we can win tomorrow,” Christian said.
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