Korea Scramble Against Fired-Up Singapore

Singapore’s sparkling resistance nearly tripped third seeds Korea’s campaign in Thomas Cup Group A on Monday night, with the Koreans scrambling to secure their place.

But for a short phase late in the first doubles when Terry Hee/Loh Kean Hean let the intensity dip, Singapore were very much in the hunt for an upset.

World champion Loh Kean Yew, as he had done in the first tie against Indonesia, once again was the spearhead, destroying Heo Kwang Hee’s challenge in just 32 minutes.

Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean took on recent Korea Open champions Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae and played at a crackling pace that had the Koreans looking unsure of themselves. Only midway through the second did the Koreans find their rhythm, and from then it was a tight contest, swinging their way only at the very end.

Terry Hee (left) and Loh Kean Hean nearly pulled SIngapore to 2-0 over Korea.

Singapore continued to be defiant, with world No.88 Jason Teh pushing Korea Masters champion Jeon Hyeok Jin to three games.

“Today I played better than yesterday. I was able to challenge my opponent and able to perform what I’d trained for,” said Jason Teh.

“I’m happy that our team has performed whatever we trained for, so we’re able to challenge our opponents. As for the results, I’m not happy because we wanted to be on the winning side, but things didn’t turn our way.”

Korea wrapped up the tie in the fourth match through Choi Solgyu/Kim Wonho, but with Singapore taking the fifth through Joel Koh over Lee Yun Gyu to narrow the margin at 3-2, it had been a close call for the third seeds.

Ginting Falls, but Indonesia Through

Scratch pair Bagas Maulana and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo delivered a point for Indonesia.

♦ Defending champions Indonesia survived some anxious moments before getting past Thailand 4-1 to secure their quarterfinals place. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting was outclassed by Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the first match, and although Indonesia did take the remaining matches, the opening games were closely fought. For the Indonesians, their scratch pairing of Bagas Maulana/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo delivered against Peeratchai Sukphun/Pakkapon Teeraratsakul.

♦ In Uber Cup Group B, China, fielding all their big guns, routed a Carolina Marin-less Spain 5-0, while Chinese Taipei were just as dominant over Australia.

FULL RESULTS