Thomas Cup: Malaysia trounce India in Group C first round

Malaysia trounced India 4-1 in Group C first round match of the Li-Ning BWF Thomas Cup at the Siri Fort Stadium New Delhi, here on Sunday.

Malaysia's first match point was delivered by world number one men's single Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who easily tamed K.Srikanth 21-19, 21-12.

"I have to try to play better," said Chong Wei, who took 35 mins to beat his opponent.

Asked on the court condition, he said there were issues with the wind (air-conditioner) but one just needed to get use to different types of court.

"I have played here before. So, I am used to it."

Similar momentum was displayed by Malaysia first double duo, Tan Boon Heong/Hoon Thien How and second men's single Chong Wei Feng.

Tan/Hoon beat B.Sumeeth Reddy/Manu Attri 21-14,21-11, while Chong, who is playing for Thomas Cup for the first time brushed Kashyap Parupalli aside 21-13, 21-6.

"I was surprised myself as all the previous meet with Kashyap, I won in double set. This is the first time I beat him in straight set," said Chong as he edged his head on head record with Kashyap to 4:0.

Pairing for the first time, Malaysia's second men's double, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong won against Akshay Dewalkar/Pranav Jerry Chopra 21-17, 14-21, 21-14.

However, third single, Daren Liew lost to Gurusaidutt R. M. V. 21-18, 13-21, 19-21.

Overall the team's performance was good except for the third single, Malaysia's Thomas Cup Project Leader, Rashid Sidek said.

The team has to continuously be focused and be in high spirit to meet their opponent on Monday, he said.

On his expectation for the tournament, Chong Wei said Malaysia was better prepared this time for the Thomas Cup.

Hence, he hoped that the team would perform well.

Malaysia is one of the three teams who have laid its hand on the coveted Thomas Cup trophy. The country has won the crown five times, including a hat-trick of titles from 1949-1955.

The team also boosts of eight runners-up finishes.

However, Malaysians have not won the title since 1992, when Malaysia hosted the tournament, and have not been to the finals over a decade now.

On Monday, Malaysia's Men team will play against Germany while the women team, who are in Group Z will meet Denmark.