China beats Thailand in Thomas quarterfinals (pic)

JAKARTA, May 14 (Xinhua) — Top seed China earned a semifinal slot after beating Thailand 3-0 in the Thomas Cup men's badminton quarterfinal showdown Wednesday afternoon at Bung Karno Sports Hall here.

China’s Lin Dan celebrates scoring during the match against Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana at the Bank BRI 2008 Thomas Cup men’s team badminton competition in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, May 14, 2008. China beat Thailand 3-0.

World No. 1 Lin Dan demolished Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand 21-15, 21-14 while Bao Chunlai crushed Poomat Sapkulchananart 21-14,21-11.

China’s Lin Dan (R) greets the audience after beats Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana in the quarterfinals of the Bank BRI 2008 Thomas Cup men’s team badminton competition in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, May 12, 2008. China beat Thailand 3-0.

China's doubles pair Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng swept past Thailand's shuttlers Tesana Panvisavas and Nuttaphon Narkthong 21-12, 21-17.

Thailand's first singles Boonsak told reporters that he was satisfied with his play Wednesday, but said he did not get used to the wind in the stadium and made a lot of unforced errors near the net." Lin Dan is faster today", he added.

    China's head coach Li Yongbo said in a news briefing that Lin Dan really has a little trouble in the first half of the game because Boonsak is a good player.