2008 Thomas Cup: China captures 3rd straight badminton title beating Korea 3-1

China captures its third straight badminton title beating Korea 3-1.  The championship point came from China’s men’s doubles pair Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong.  The Chinese duo came out firing at the start of the first game, taking a commanding win against Korean’s Hwan Ji-man and Lee Jae-Jin, 21-12.  The Koreans came back in the second game, putting up a tough fight, crawling their way to a 21-19 victory over the aggressive Chinese team.  The momentum, however, stayed on China’s side as Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong, maintained their attacking play and pulled off an early lead and never looked back.  The championship point came out of Xie Zhongbo’s powerful smash, ending the 2008 Thomas Cup, capturing the crown for China with a superb win against the Koreans, 21-12. 

Update: China - 2 vs Korea – 1

China takes another win courtesy of Bao Chunlai’s victory over Korea’s Lee Hyun Il.  The world number 3 Bao Chunlai started slowly with Lee Hyun Il controlling most of the game.  The Chinese battled his way through and got to a commanding lead of 3 matchpoints at 20-17.  However, the energized Lee Hyun Il saved all 3 match points and put on a rubber game.  Both players had very sensational rallies, each one saving off match point from the other.  They both displayed superb performance.  In the end, the experience and mental focus of Bao Chunlai prevailed as he brushed off 4 match points from the Korean, and take the first game 28-26.  In the second game, the exhausting first game had taken its toll on Lee Hyun Il physically and mentally.  Bao Chunlai took advantage of the demoralized Korean, playing extraordinary net play and attacking smashes, putting on a commanding lead early and finishing it off 21-11 to put China ahead of Korea, 2 to 1.

Update: China – 1 vs Korea – 1

Korea leveled up the match (China - 1 vs Korea – 1) with a convincing win in their first men’s doubles match.  The partnership of Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung had to save up 4 match points from the very strong China men’s doubles team of Cai Yun and Fu Hai Feng to win the first game.  The Korean’s tenacity, fighting spirit, and never give up attitude gaved them the extra push to defend the attacks of team China and capture the first game 25-23.  The Koreans kicked-off the second game attacking, barely giving the Chinese team breathing space after the grueling first game.  They displayed great net plays and powerful smashes, continuously burying the shuttle to the ground to the delight of the crowd.  The Chinese team put on a late surge, but it was a little too late as the Koreans finished it off and captured their first point for the Thomas Cup Finals.

Temporary Result: China – 1 vs Korea – 0

The men’s singles match between China’s Lin Dan and Korea’s Park Sung Hwan kicked off the thrill and excitement in the 2008 Thomas Cup Finals.  Lin Dan started off cold with the first game dominated by Park Sung Hwan 21-10.  Slowly but surely, Lin Dan got his swagger back in the second game, with a display of patience and timely smashes,  holding off Park Sung Hwan for a close win,  21-18.   On the deciding game, Lin Dan continued his surge and displayed his magnificent net play and powerful smashes.  He completely dominated the third game, winning 21-8, capturing the first point for China.