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NANNING, May 21-- Host China eased past Denmark 3-1 to match up Thailand, who knocked out defending champion South Korea, in the semifinals of 2019 Sudirman Cup here on Thursday. China, the 10-time champion, is the only team never miss the semifinals of Sudirman Cup in the history. Top-ranked Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong rallied from one game down to beat Mathias Christiansen and Sara Thygesen, 19-21, 21-11, 21-13, took the opening point for China in mixed doubles. Viktor Axelsen, the 2017 world champion, defeated world No.5 Chen Long 21-11, 21-18 in men's singles to tie it 1-1. It was the first time for China, who swept Malaysia and India 5-0 in the group stage, to drop a match in the tournament. "I know if I want to beat him I must play carefully in all aspects. I made a lot of mistakes in Game 2 but I have better physical energy," said Axelsen. China regained the lead as Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen downed Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-18, 21-16 in men's doubles before Chen Yufei cruised over Mia Blichfeldt 21-16, 21-17 in women's singles to seal the victory. "I had a better performance than the previous days, and hope to tune up for the coming matches," said Chen. Without injuried 6th-ranked Son Wan-ho and 10th-ranked Sung Ji-hyun, South Korea felt helpless in this do-or-die battle against Thailand. Thailand bulit a 2-0 lead after winning the mixed doubles and men's singles before Kang Min-hyuk and Kim Won-hoIn pulled one back by overturning Tinn Isriyanet and Kittinupong Kedren 19-21, 21-17 and 21-14. | 
