Singapore nearly pulled off an upset over favourites China in the Happening Hyderabad Badminton Asia Team Championships men’s team opening tie on Monday in Hyderabad, India. The Chinese scraped through 3-2 after being 1-2 down in Group MA.

Men’s Singles spearhead Tian Houwei gave China the lead beating Derek Wong in the opener, but China’s Men’s Doubles duo Liu Xiaolong/Qiu Zihan were shocked 16-21 21-13 21-11 by Terry Hee/Loh Kean Hean. Singapore went ahead with Loh Kean Yew (featured image) – Kean Hean’s brother – cut apart Wang Zhengming’s challenge, 21-15 21-16.

However, China’s second Men’s Doubles pair, Li Jinhui/Liu Yuchen, came to their rescue beating Danny Bawa Chrisnanta/Hendra Wijaya 21-18 21-14, before Qiao Bin sealed the tie for China beating Ryan Ng 21-15 19-21 21-13.

Group MD saw Korea blank Philippines 5-0, while in Group MC, Indonesia swept past Maldives 5-0 and Chinese Taipei demolished Thailand 4-1. The lone point for Thailand came in the second Men’s Doubles, with Puavaranukroh Dechapol/Kedren Kittinupong (above) beating Chen Hung Ling/Wang Chi-Lin in three games.

In the Women’s Team event, China – powered by Wang Shixian, Sun Yu and He Bingjiao in singles and Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei and Luo Ying/Luo Yu in doubles – had no problems in their opening tie, beating Hong Kong 5-0 without losing a game. In Group WB, Thailand had a similar score against Sri Lanka, grabbing the tie without losing a game.