Liao Min Chun (L)/Su Ching Heng of Chinese Taipei competes during the men's doubles match between China's Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in the group stage at Sudirman Cup 2019 in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on May 19, 2019. Chinese Taipei won with 3-2 in total. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)
NANNING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Taipei took the first three matches for an unbeatable lead, defeating Hong Kong 3-2 in the Group 1C opener at the Sudirman Cup which kicked off here on Sunday.
Men's doubles shuttlers Liao Min Chun/Su Ching Heng, the winners of Dutch Open 2017, beat Chung Yonny and Tam Chun Hei 21-14, 21-17, and Asian Games champion Tai Tzu Ying survived a big scare to surrender the first game 18-21, but managed to beat Cheung Ngan Yi by taking the following games 21-19, 21-8.
Chinese Taipei locked its victory as Chou Tien Chen, runner-up of the Asian Games 2018, scored an identical score of 21-15 over Ng Ka Long Angus in the men's singles after 41 minutes.
"It was a tough start, but I played really patiently. Later on, Ng Ka made more mistakes and I took the advantage to win," said Chou.
With the victory in their hands, Chinese Taipei conceded the following women's doubles and the mixed doubles as Ng Wing Yung/Yeung Nga Ting took an easy win over Pai Yu Po/Wu Ti Jung 21-14, 21-11, and Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet downed their Chinese Taipei opponents Chang Ching Hui and Wang Chi Lin 17-21, 21-16 and 21-14.
Pitted in the same group, South Korea will meet Hong Kong on Monday and Chinese Taipei on Wednesday. Only top two teams will advance to the quarterfinal from the group.
