Defending champions China beat Thailand 4-1 to sit atop in Group A and advanced to the Sudirman Cup knockout phase in Xiamen, southeast Chinas Fujian Province on Wednesday evening.Chinese blended doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Wei Yaxin beat Teeraratsakul Pakkapon and Muenwong Phataimas 23-21, 21-11.
Facing Thailands Wangcharoen Kantaphon in the maless singles match, Li Shifeng edged him 21-18, 17-21 and 21-13 in an 85-minute thriller.Womens singles world No.
2 Wang Zhiyi lost an intense fight with Intanon Ratchanok.
Wang allowed the first set 19-21 but recuperated to clinch the 2nd 21-13 before ultimately losing the decider 21-23.
She played extremely aggressively today, Wang said.
I carried out improperly in many methods, which provided my opponent lots of opportunities and confidence.
I hope my failure can be changed into important experience.
China had comfortable wins in the mens doubles and womens doubles competitors.
Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang beat their challengers 21-14, 21-14 in the guyss doubles match, while Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning won 21-11, 21-8 in the womens event.In Group B, four-time champions South Korea got rid of a mens songs stumble to beat Chinese Taipei 4-1, ranking initially in the group.