China and South Korea set up semifinal clash in Sudirman Cup

 Defending champions China and runners-up South Korea set up a semifinal clash after both claimed quarterfinal victories here on Thursday.

Unlike the group stages, the quarterfinals tie will wrap up when a team have won three matches. China sailed past India 3-1 with their women's singles losing again, while South Korea edged past Malaysia 3-2 to set up a showdown against China, to which they lost 3-0 in the final two years ago in Guangzhou, South China.

World No. 3 Wang Xin was stunned by Saina Nehwal 21-15, 21-11 in a surprisingly one-sided match after Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng breezed past Sanave Thomas/Rupesh Kumar K. T. 21-15, 21-14.

"I made too many mistakes at the beginning and this affected my play," said Wang, who was chosen to play following the shock loss of world No. 1 Wang Shixian in China's first match against Germany.

However, Wang's defeat didn't prevent China from dominating the competition. "Super Dan" Lin Dan claimed an easy victory over P. Kashyap in straight games 21-14, 21-14 before Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli sealed the win by defeating Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa 21-8, 21- 13.

South Korea, who edged European champions Denmark 3-2 in a five- hour match on Wednesday, took another hard fight as they defeated Malaysia in the same scoreline.

Sung Hyun Ko/Jung Eun Ha put South Korea ahead by beating Kien Keat Koo/Eei Hui Chin 21-17, 21-17 in the opening mixed doubles. World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei outclassed Sung Hwan Park 21-18, 21-14 in 36 minutes to level the aggregate score.

The newly-paired Boon Heong Tan/Thien How Hoon stunned Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae 21-15, 14-21, 21-14 to award Malaysia a surprisingly 2-1 lead, but Bae Youn Joo tied the score again by pushing aside youngster Tee Jing Yi 21-11, 21-11.

In the decider, Jung Eun Ha/Min Jung Kim withstood the pressure to overcame Eei Hui Chin/Pei Tty Wong 19-21, 21-16, 21-10.

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