China knocks out Denmark, Thailand sinks South Korea at Sudirman Cup

NANNING - Host China eased past Denmark 3-1 to match up Thailand, who knocked out defending champion South Korea, in the semifinals of 2019 Sudirman Cup here on Thursday.

China, the 10-time champion, is the only team never misses the semifinals of Sudirman Cup in the history.

Top-ranked Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong rallied from one game down to beat Mathias Christiansen and Sara Thygesen, 19-21, 21-11, 21-13, took the opening point for China in mixed doubles.

Viktor Axelsen, the 2017 world champion, defeated world No.5 Chen Long 21-11, 21-18 in men's singles to tie it 1-1. It was the first time for China, who swept Malaysia and India 5-0 in the group stage, to drop a match in the tournament.

"I know if I want to beat him I must play carefully in all aspects. I made a lot of mistakes in Game 2 but I have better physical energy," said Axelsen.