Our shuttlers lose to Chinese in friendly SHENZEN (China): China rode on the strength of the doubles players to beat Malaysia 3-1 in a friendly tie using the Thomas Cup format at Shenzen here yesterday. The Chinese proved that their doubles were no longer the chink in their armour when Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng turned the tables on national number one pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, winning 15-9, 15-12. The win helped China to level the tie at 1-1 after world number seven Wong Choong Hann had earlier given Malaysia a great start when he outclassed world number one Chen Hong with a hard-fought 17-14, 15-10 win. China took a 2-1 lead through their youngster Bao Chunlai when the 20-year-old tamed Lee Chong Wei 15-9, 15-5. Then, their second doubles pair of Chen Qiqiu-Wang Wei delivered the winning point, beating the Malaysian scratch pair of Chang Kim Wai-Chew Choon Eng with a convincing 15-13, 15-7 win.
