'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
India crashed out in the quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup Asian Zone preliminaries on Thursday, returning a sub-par performance in a 3-0 rout by Malaysia. The loss meant India will need to win the playoff for fifth place to qualify for the final rounds of the Thomas Cup, as only the top five from the Asian Zone would make it. However, that would be a tough task, for the top contender for that slot would be Korea.
In other matches, China, Japan and Indonesia progressed to the semifinals. While most matches were straightforward affairs, the Indonesia-Korea tie turned out to be a thriller, and was decided in the final match which went the distance. Although the Koreans were reckoned to have the advantage in the run-up to the match, the Indonesians recovered from a 0-2 deficit to win the last three matches. Tommy Sugiarto pulled off a three-set win over Hong Ji Hoon 21-7 16-21 21-8 that sealed the tie for Indonesia.
India were expected to pose some problems for Malaysia, but the Indians failed to rise to the occasion. Ajay Jayaram took on Lee Chong Wei and stunned the world No.1 by taking the second game, but the Malaysian restored his superiority by restricting Jayaram to eight points in the third.
Rupesh Kumar/ Sanave Thomas might have fancied their chances against top-ten pair Koo Kien Keat/ Tan Boon Heong, but the Malaysians closed out the match in straight games, although they were tested in the second.
P Kashyap’s was perhaps the most disappointing for India, as he fell to the out-of-form Hafiz Hashim in three games. The last two rubbers were not contested.
In the Uber Cup, China, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Japan progressed to the semifinals. China, Thailand and Japan blanked their opponents 3-0, while Taipei lost one match in a 3-1 win over Hong Kong. Powerhouses China had no problems whipping Indonesia, with Jiang Yanjiao leading the rout. Similarly, Thailand, led by their junior world champion Ratchanok Inthanon, gave the Malaysians no chance in a 3-0 result.
The Indian men next play Thailand in a playoff that determines the minor places.
