Wangcharoen kantaphon

Sudirman Cup: Defending champion China handed Thailand a 4-1 defeat to surge to the top spot in Group A and make it to the knockout stages of the Sudirman Cup mixed team badminton competition here on Wednesday evening.

In mixed doubles, Feng Yanzhe and Wei Yaxin beat Teeraratsakul Pakkapon and Muenwong Phataimas 23-21, 21-11. Facing Thailand's Wangcharoen Kantaphon in the men's singles, Li Shifeng beat him 21-18, 17-21, 21-13 in an 85-minute thriller.

Women's singles world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi endured a grueling battle with Intanon Ratchanok. Wang dropped the first set 19 to 21 and recovered to clinch the second 21-13. However, Wang lost the decider 21-23, reports Xinhua.