CHENGDU, May 4 – Taiwan created history by reaching their first ever semi-finals in the Thomas Cup Finals after knocking out favourites Denmark.
World No. 14 Chou Tien-chen inspired his team with a stunning 21-19, 14-21, 21-19 victory over world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen in the first singles at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center in Chengdu yesterday.
Buoyed by the huge win, reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin then doubled Taiwan’s advantage by coming out on top over Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-14, 21-15 in the first doubles.
In the second singles, Anders Antonsen gave Denmark some hope after pulling off a hard-fought 14-21, 21-10, 21-14 win over Lin Chun-yi.
Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan though ensured the win for Taiwan by staying cool to beat Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard 23-21, 21-18 in the second doubles.
Taiwan will next face 14-time champions Indonesia in the last four after the latter ousted South Korea 3-1.
