China move up the gears

China's quest for a sixth Sudirman Cup title in 10 stagings of the event moves sharply up the gears later on Saturday when they meet South Korea in the semi-finals of this year's tournament.

After cantering through in the group stage with 5-0 victories over England and Thailand and a 4-1 defeat of Malaysia, the Chinese may find the Koreans, three-times winners of the event since its inception in 1989, a taller order.

Though South Korea stuttered through the group stage, their cup pedigree is sound and the best may yet be to come.

China's world champion Lin Dan suffered a rare defeat in the tie against Malaysia but the match stood at 4-0 and too much should not be read into that loss.

With Olympic and world champions galore, the Chinese are hot favourites to go all the way and retain the title they won in Beijing two years ago.

The other semi-final looks finely poised with England's doubles squad, spearheaded by world mixed champions Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, a powerful weapon against Inodonesia, who topped their group in qualifying.

England team manaer Ian Wright said: "Obviously they're favourites but if we can get the first point, it's such a big point. Then all the pressure is on Indonesia not us."

A total of 48 nations, split into six divisions, have been taking part in the week-long tournament which ends on Sunday.