DENMARK IN AND MALAYSIA OUT OF THOMAS CUP SEMIS Indonesia, China and Korea Qualify for Semis May 21, 1996 (D.Shuttlenws) - In a do-or-die encounter tonight at the world men's team championships (Thomas Cup) being contested in Hong Kong, European champions Denmark defeated Malaysia 4 matches to 1 and clinched a spot in the semifinals. With the loss, Malaysia, the 1992 title holders and 1994 finalists, was knocked out of the competition. Both Denmark and Malaysia were playing to win tonight as both teams knew that the loser would be out of the running for the 1996 Thomas Cup. Denmark, whose singles players have improved dramatically under the tutelage of the near-legendary Morten Frost, again carried the fight for Denmark. This time though, the doubles players contributed as Henrik Svarrer and Michael Sogaard scored the clinching victory over Soo Beng Kiang and Tan Kim Her. Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, the Danish champion of the prestigious All-England Open two years running, and Rashid Sidek, an All-England finalist this year, opened the hostilities. Sidek started out very aggressively, attacking Hoyer at every opportunity and trying to prevent the Dane from from playing his deceptive game. The two battled for every point in the first game and had to play a five-point tiebreaker or setting at 13-all. Sidek's aggressiveness finally paid off as Hoyer's defenses broke down. Sidek took the first 18-16. The two continued their battle in the second. This time, however, Hoyer got his game going, mixing up his shots - lobs then drops, net shots then lifts, soft shots then smashes. Hoyer had the second game seemingly in hand but Sidek staged a comeback. Sidek kept trying to catch up to Hoyer and even saved game point at 14-13, Hoyer ahead. Sidek's surge was not enough however as Hoyer managed to win the second game 15-13 with deceptive and very accurate dropshots and crosscourt smashes. In the third game, it was more scoring dropshots and crosscourt smashes from Hoyer as the Malaysian no longer had the quickness and energy that he had shown in the first game. Hoyer took the third game 15-6. After winning his match, Hoyer, who plays so composedly on the court with very little show of emotion, celebrated his victory as he did a jig with the jubilant Danish supporters. Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, the world number ones in men's doubles, put a damper on the Danish celebrations when they blanked the scratch pairing of Jon Holst-Christensen and Jim Laugessen in the opening game of their match. Holst-Christensen and Laugessen did not let the goose egg faze them as they fought back in the second game to surprise the Malaysians 15-12. In the third game, however, the combination of Cheah Soon Kit's power and Yap Kim Hock's quickness and guile overcame the Danes 15-7. The tie was now tied up, 1 match apiece. The tallish Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen then came on to face Ong Ewe Hock, with the Danish player using his height and reach to advantage against the mainly defensive style of Ong. Stuer took the match 15-12 15-6 to pull Denmark ahead, 2 matches to 1. In a very tightly contested first game of the fourth match, Henrik Svarrer and Michael Sogaard overcame the Soo Beng Kiang-Tan Kim Her combination 18-13. The Malaysians, facing elimination, fought back to take the second 15-7. The third game was all-Denmark as Svarrer and Sogaard completely overwhelmed the suddenly struggling Malaysian duo 15-1. The Danish celebration was truly on after this clinching win. Peter Rasmussen and Pang Chen played out the last match with Rasmussen winning 15-12 15-11. Joining Denmark in the semifinals on Friday are Indonesia, China and Korea. Indonesia will face Korea and Denmark meets China. Indonesia completed the round-robin competition undefeated with a 5-0 win over England in the afternoon session today. Heryanto Arbi, playing first singles in place of a resting Joko Suprianto, beat England's Darren Hall 15-8 15-2. Indonesian doubles aces Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky defeated Nathan and Julian Robertson 15-6 15-6. Allan Budi Kusuma of Indonesia beat Peter Bush 15-12 15-5. Antonius Irianto and Denny Kantono bested Chris Hunt and James Anderson of England 15-5 15-10. Colin Haughton of England surprised Ardy Wiranata in the first game of their match 15-12. Wiranata then buckled down to fashion second and third game wins 15-3 15-6. Also in the afternoon session, China booked their place in the semifinals when they blanked Sweden 5-0. The top Chinese entries, Dong Jiong in singles and the pair of Jiang Xin and Huang Zhanzhong in doubles, did not have an easy afternoon however. Dong had all he could handle against Jens Olsson in their second game. After winning the first 15-4, the Chinese ace found himself on the short end of the score in the second, 14-17. Dong had to raise his game in the third before he finally beat the tall Swede 15-9. Jiang and Huang also had a battle on their hands against Par-Gunnar Jonsson and Peter Axelsson. The Chinese pair won the first 15-8 then dropped the second 11-15. Jiang and Huang pulled out the victory in the third 15-7. The other Chinese entries found the going easier. Sun Jun disposed of Tomas Johansson 15-9 15-9. Ge Cheng and Tao Xiaoqiang beat Johan Tholinssson and Henrik Andersson 15-11 15-3. Lin Liwen beat Rikard Magnusson 15-2 15-9. In the other tie this evening, Korea demolished host Hong Kong 5-0. Park Sung Woo beat Tam Kai Chuen 15-11 15-8. Park Joo Bong and Kim Dong Moon beat Chan Siu Kwong and He Yi Ming 15-7 15-4. Lee Kwang Jin beat Ng Wei 15-7 15-1. Yoo Yung Soo and Ha Tae Kwon beat Chow Kin Man and Ma Che Kong 15-5 15-3. Ahn Jae Chang beat Liu Kwok Wah 15-7 15-5. The Thomas Cup standings at the conclusion of the round-robin stage are: Ties Played Won Lost Points Group A Indonesia 3 3 0 6 China 3 2 1 4 Sweden 3 1 2 2 England 3 0 3 0 Group B Denmark 3 3 0 6 Korea 3 2 1 4 Malaysia 3 1 2 2 Hong Kong 3 0 3 0 COPYRIGHT (c) 1996 by D.Shuttlenws@genie.com. PERMISSION GIVEN to redistribute electronically in whole or in part.