(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-12 11:14

LONDON - Olympic badminton champion Taufik Hidayat lost on the opening day of the Thomas Cup men's team tournament in Jakarta on Sunday but Indonesia rallied to take their preliminary group tie against Thailand 3-2.

Taufik went down 23-21 21-18 to Tanongsak Saensomboonsok and there was also a surprise defeat on home territory for last year's world championship runner-up Sony Dwi Kuncoro who lost 21-17 21-15 to Boonsak Ponsana.

But both Indonesia's doubles pairs held firm and Simon Santoso clinched the tie in the third men's singles with an easy 21-11 21-9 victory over Pakkawat Vilailak.

In other preliminary group action, holders China swept aside Nigeria 5-0 and the fancied Malaysians beat England by the same scoreline.

In the Uber Cup for women, China began the defence of their title with a 5-0 success over the U.S. Group action continues until the quarter-finals on Wednesday.