Holders Indonesia march
into Thomas Cup final
Defending Thomas Cup champions Indonesia killed off Denmark's hopes of a first ever
win in the team tournament with a crushing 3-0 victory, to set
up a final showdown against Malaysia.
Indonesia gained an early stranglehold on the contest
that they never relinquished as they blasted their way to
victory after two hours and 45 minutes.
The defending champions, who have held the cup since
1994, will now meet arch-rivals Malaysia, who upset favourites
China in yesterday's first semi-final.
Denmark and Indonesia had clashed at the same stage of
the tournament in Kuala Lumpur two years earlier, with
Indonesia narrowly scrapig through 3-2 in an epic battle.
However, this semi-final encounter proved less dramatic
for the Indonesians, who were led by world number seven Marleve
Mainaky's battling 3-7, 6-8, 7-5, 7-0, 7-2 win over Kenneth
Jonassen, ranked one place below him.
Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto then teamed up to
overwhelm Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Jens Eriksen 7-1, 7-2, 6-8,
7-4 with a dominant display to give the Indonesians a
commanding 2-0 lead.