NANNING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Host China swept India 5-0 for its second straight victory, making it to the last eight of the ongoing 2019 Sudirman Cup as group 1D leader here on Wednesday.
Among the five matches, only the men's doubles was stretched to three full games. On Sunday, China won its opener over Malaysia 5-0.
And China's victory over India also ensures Malaysia advance as runner-up after it beat India 3-2 on Tuesday.
The opening mixed doubles became a lop-sided match as No. 2 Chinese pair Huang Dongping and Wang Yilyu breezed over 23rd-ranked Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Reddy N. Sikki 21-5, 21-11 in 28 minutes.
However, the following men's singles was rather a tough battle for Chen Long, the Rio Olympic champion, who lagged behind all the way until 16-15 when he led the first game for the first time. Later on, the world's No. 5 Chinese managed for a hard-fought win over the 15th-ranked Sameer Verma 21-17, 22-20 in one hour and 11 minutes, the longest of all five matches.
"He is a tough opponent and I didn't get into the match quick enough," Chen said, adding that he was still suffering injuries to his right hands.
China sealed the victory in the men's doubles when Han Chengkai and Zhou Haodong rallied from one game down to beat Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 18-21, 21-15 and 21-17 in 62 minutes.
"When the match started, we felt a little bit nervous and were shocked by their aggressive play, and we played in a rather conservative manner," Han said. "But after we lost Game 1, we made the adjustment to the best."
Later on, China took the wowen's singles as third-ranked Chen Yufei, the winner of All England Open 2019, scored a straight-game win over 9th-ranked Saina Nehwal 21-12, 21-15 in 34 minutes, and the wowen's doubles also became an easy task when the Asia Games champions and world No. 3 Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan defeated Ashwini Ponnapp and Reddy N. Sikki 21-12, 21-15.
The quarterfinal fixtures will be decided with a draw after all group matches to be completed on Wednesday evening.
