BEIJING, May 11: China, South Korea, Denmark and Indonesia all booked their berths in the Sudirman Cup semifinals Wednesday. Hosts China, seeking to reclaim the prestigious mixed team badminton title they lost in Eindhoven two years ago, demolished Hong Kong 5-0, while Indonesia beat Sweden 4-1 in the other Group 1B match.

Earlier, defending champions South Korea romped to an easy 5-0 win over England in Group 1A, while Denmark, who have never won the championship, saw off Thailand 4-1 to bag their spot in the last four.

China, who play Indonesia on Thursday, opened their day two account with a 15-5, 13-15, 15-5 win by Bao Chunlai over Hong Kong’s Agus Hariyanto in the men’s singles.

World number one Xie Xingfang romped past Yip Pui Yin 11-2, 11-0 in the women’s singles, while Cai Yung and Fu Haifeng secured the team win with a straights sets victory in the men’s doubles.

Top ranked duo Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen wrapped up the women’s doubles, with Zhang Jun and Gao Ling finishing off the sweep in the mixed doubles.

South Korea got off to the perfect start with Lee Hyun-Il defeating Nicholas Kidd 15-13, 15-4 in the men’s singles.

Lee Yun-Hwa had a harder time of it in the women’s event, taking three sets, to wear down Elizabeth Cann. Ha Tae-Kwon and Yim Bang-Eun bounced back after losing the opening set to secure the overall team victory and a semifinal berth on Saturday.

Lee Kyung-Won and Lee Hyo-Jung continued their run of form in the women’s doubles, while ace duo Lee Jae-Jin and Ra Kyung-Min won the mixed doubles to complete the sweep.

In day two’s other Group 1A match, Denmark were made to work hard for their overall win despite the convincing scoreline.

Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Juhl lost their opening set to Thailand’s Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam but bounced back to clinch a crucial 9-15, 15-3, 15-10 victory.

Kenneth Jonassen cruised to another easy win in the men’s singles, while Tine Rasmussen wrapped up the team victory with a tough three-setter in the women’s event.

Jens Eriksen and Martin Luundgaard then took the men’s doubles rubber but Saralee Thoungthongkam and Sathinee Chankrachangwong salvaged some pride for Thailand with a straight sets win in the women’s doubles.

Meanwhile, Athens Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat spearheaded Indonesia’s win over Sweden, demolishing Hugi Heimirsson 15-1, 15-7 in the men’s singles. Only Adrianti Firdasari let the side down, losing the women’s singles to Elin Bergblom.—AFP