#ThomasCup2024 MALAYSIA THROUGH AS GROUP D RUNNERS-UP

30

Apr

Share on

As group winners, the reigning European champions, Denmark, secure a seeding in the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup in Chengdu.

In a closely contested match on Tuesday at the Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre, the mighty Vikings faced stiff competition from Malaysia but ultimately clinched a 3-2 victory in the final Group D tie.

World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen set the tone by claiming the first point for Denmark, defeating Lee Zii Jia 21-16 24-22 in the highly anticipated first singles match.

Former men's doubles world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik then leveled the score by overcoming Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 17-21 21-17 21-16.

Denmark regained the lead through newly crowned European champion Anders Antonsen, who swiftly dispatched former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao 21-14, 21-10.

Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani brought the national team back into contention, making it 2-2 by defeating Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard 23-21 22-20 in the second doubles match.

Denmark's experience proved decisive as world No. 26 Rasmus Gemke secured the victory, overcoming a resilient challenge from 20-year-old debutant Justin Hoh with a 21-13 19-21 21-13 win.

Despite finishing second in the group, Malaysia also advances to the knockout stage.

A new draw for the last eight will be conducted on Wednesday following the conclusion of the group ties.