WUHAN: Malaysia strolled past South Africa 5-0 in the opening Thomas Cup Group C match at the Wuhan Sports Complex Gymnasium here today.

Datuk Lee Chong Wei put Malaysia on the winning path by beating Jacob Malieka 21-13, 21-10.

Though South Africa was not among the seeded teams, the first match of any tournament was important to get a feel of the competition and the venue.

"The first match can provide a good feel of the venue and conditions inside the stadium like the condition of the air-cond and drift inside the stadium.

"This is vital in our preparations to face Denmark who are a tough opponent," Chong Wei told Malaysian reporters after the match.

With the first point secured, youngster Liew Daren came on court to win Malaysia's second point by beating Willem Viljoen 21-11, 21-9 while Muhammad Hafiz Hashim quickly wrapped up the winning point with a 21-10, 21-8 win over Prakash Vijayanath.

Doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong also had an easy outing when they disposed Dorian Lance James/Willem Viljoen 21-8, 21-12 while Goh Wei Shem/Lim Khim Wah completed the rout by sweeping past Prakash Vijayanath/Jacob Malieka 21-11, 21-14.

Meanwhile, Chong Wei said he as the first singles and Kien Keat/Boon Heong as the first doubles, must contribute winning points against Denmark tomorrow.

"We are looking at a tough opponent in Denmark because they have good doubles players. We need to be very focused and play all out," he said.

Denmark, the third seed in the tournament, are expected to field world number five Peter Hoeg Gade, Jan O Jorgensen, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in the singles and doubles ace Carsten Morgensen/Mathias Boe and Mads Conrad-Petersen/Jonas Rasmussen.


- Bernama