(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-16 22:10

JAKARTA  -- China, hoping to retain the Thomas Cup trophy for the seventh time, beat Malaysia 3-2 in the badminton semifinal and advanced to the final at the Bung Karno Sports Hall here on Friday.

China had a tough start, with world's No 1 Lin Dan dropping the opener against Lee Chong Wei 12-21, 14-21 in the singles.

After the shaky start, China's doubles pair Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng put on a dominate performance over Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong to give China a point over Malaysia with a 21-16, 21-17 win.

Bao Chunlai, ranked world No. 3, beat Wong Choong Hann 21-18, 21-7 while China's second pair Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong lost to their Malaysian rivals Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari 17-21, 15-21 in the doubles.

China's third singles Chen Jin swept past Malaysian shuttler Muhammad Hafiz Hashim 21-12, 21-16 to award a 3-2 victory to China over Malaysia.