KUALA LUMPUR: As expected, China proved too strong for the young Malaysian squad as the 10-time champions recorded a 5-0 win in Sunday’s opening Group D tie of the Sudirman Cup.
Playing in front of their home fans at the Guanxi Sports Centre Gymnasium in Nanning, China were nearly stunned in the first match when All England men's doubles runner-up Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik dragged reigning world champions Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen to the deciding game before going down 18-21, 21-14, 24-22.
China then doubled their lead following Chen Yufei’s 21-15, 21-23, 21-14 victory over Soniia Cheah in the women’s singles before they took an unassailable 3-0 lead when World No 2 men’s singles shuttler Shi Yuqi defeated Lee Zii Jia 21-12, 21-11.
Although the win was in the bag, China did not take their foot off the pedal.
In the women’s doubles, China’s Du Yue-Li Yinhui played a flawless match to overcome Vivian Hoo-Yap Cheng Wen, 21-18, 21-14.
In the final match of tie, World No 1 mixed doubles pairing of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong had a tough first game before recording a 21-16, 21- 12 win over Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
All is not over for Malaysia as they will still qualify for the knockout stage if they beat India on Tuesday.
India will open their campaign against China on Monday.