JAPAN stunned third seeds Taiwan 3-2 to qualify for the semi-finals of the Uber Cup while European giants Denmark were given a torrid time by Netherlands before prevailing with an identical score at the Istora Senayan Stadium yesterday. The Japanese, who were beaten 3-0 at the Uber Cup qualifier in Kuala Lumpur in February, exacted sweet revenge after Kanako Yonekura gave them a flying start by bagging the first singles. Kanako beat Cheng Shao Shieh 11-5, 11-9. Her good work, however, could not be matched by her team-mates as Chikaka Nakayama-Keiko Yo****omi, the World No 8, fell to Chien Yu Chin-Cheng Wen Hsing 10-15, 10-15 for Taiwan to draw level. Taiwan pulled ahead when Huang Chia Chi handed a three-game defeat to Kaori Mori, winning 11-4, 8-11, 11-5. But Japan staged a fightback to level the score when Shizuka Yamamoto-Kumiko Ogura beat Chang Yun Ju-Yang Chia Chen 15-10, 15-10. And Miho Tanaka turned match winner with an emphatic 11-5, 11-0 win over Huang Chia Hsin to put Japan in the semi-finals. Japan take on China who demolished Malaysia 3-0. In the other matches, Denmark staved off a gallant fight from Netherlands before emerging victorious to achieve their target of qualifying for the semi-final. Denmark beat Netherlands 3-2 as well while Korea shrugged off a spirited challenge from hosts Indonesia to prevail 3-1. Denmark and Korea, the second seeds, play in the other semi-final. NSt
