GUANGZHOU, May 10: A tremendous comeback win by Taufik Hidayat inspired Indonesia to a 5-0 win over Thailand as the champions opened the defence of the Thomas Cup men’s team badminton tournament here Friday.
Singles star Marleve Mainaky got the champions’ defence off to the best possible start with a ruthless 7-4, 7-4, 7-2 demolition of Thailand’s Boonsak Polsana in only 20 minutes.
Doubles pair Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto made it 2-0 after a spirited encounter with Promote Teerawiwatanana and Tesana Panvisvas, world ranked number six, finally prevailing 8-6, 7-0, 7-2.
But it was Hidayat who stole the show. The hero of Indonesia’s triumph two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, only returned to action last month after a seven-month absence following a protracted row with Indonesian badminton authorities over his alleged desire to represent Singapore.
He fell two games behind and faced three match points before he sparked his game into life.
The babyfaced star shook of the rust and a total of five match points, to unleash a series of thunderous smashes to overcome the challenge of Anupap Thananthiratham 1-7, 2-7, 8-7, 8-7, 7-0.
World champion Hendrawan (Eds: one name) and doubles duo Halim Haryanto and Trikus Haryanto wrapped up the final two matches to set the reigning badminton kings’ bid for a fifth straight title right on course.
Indonesia’s main rivals for top spot in group B, Malaysia, also enjoyed an easy ride against European debutantes Germany.
The difference in class and experience was evident as world number five Malaysian Wong Choong Hann blitzed Bjoern Joppien 7-4, 7-5, 7-3.
Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng then overwhelmed Thomas Tesche and Kristof Hopp to leave Hashim Muhd Hafiz B to clinch the tie for the second seeds in the elite eight-team blue ribboned event.
The Malaysians, highly fancied to take their first title since 1992, swept the final two rubbers to complete a 5-0 win.
Meanwhile in the women’s Uber Cup Friday, two-time defending champions and pre-tournament favourites China swept away brave resistance from an inexperienced German team happy to just make their first appearance in the prestigious event.
Friday’s results:
THOMAS CUP
Group B: Indonesia 3 Thailand 0
Marleve Mainaky (Ina) bt Boonsak Polsana (Tha) 7-4, 7-4, 7-2
Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Anupap Thiraratsakul (Tha) 1-7, 2-7, 8-7, 8-7, 7-0
Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto (Ina) bt Pramote Teerawiwatana/Tesana Panvisvas (Tha) 8-6, 7-0, 7-4
Group B
Malaysia 3 Germany 0
Wong Choong Hann (Mal) bt Bjoern Joppien (Ger) 7-4, 7-5, 7-3
Hashim Muhd Hafiz B (Mal) bt Jens Roch (Ger) 7-2, 7-0, 7-4
Chan Chong Ming/Chew Choon Eng (Mal) bt Thomas Tesche/Kristof Hopp (Ger) 7-1, 7-4, 7-3
UBER GROUP
Group B:
China 4 Germany 0
Zhou Mi (Chn) bt Petra Overzier (Ger) 7-3, 7-0, 7-1
Zhang Ning (Chn) bt Nicole Grether (Ger) 8-6, 7-1, 7-0
Dai Yun (Chn) bt Katja Michalowsky (Ger) 7-1, 7-1, 7-0
Wei Yili/Zhang Jiewen (Chn) bt Carina Mette/Caren Hueckstaedt/ (Ger) 7-1, 7-0, 7-0
Group B
Korea 1 Japan 1
Kanako Yonekura (Jpn) bt Kim Yeung Ran (Kor) 7-5, 8-7, 7-4
Lee Kyung Won (Kor) bt Kaori Mori (Jpn) 7-3, 8-6, 7-3.—AFP