Defending champions China reach Sudirman Cup final

CHINA underlined their favourites status by crushing Malaysia in the Sudirman Cup semi-final.

The reigning champions will now face South Korea, who reached their sixth final after a one-sided victory over former champions Indonesia.

But their coach, Kim Jun-Soo, is refusing to accept silver is a formality against the sport's undisputed powerhouse nation.

"China is the strongest team in the world," he admitted.

"But if we can win the doubles, we can stop them."

Meanwhile, England - bronze medallists two years ago in Glasgow - narrowly lost their fifth and sixth place play-off against Denmark in Guangzhou.

An impressive display by Chris Adcock and Robert Blair in the men's doubles and a walkover win for Sarah Walker was not enough.

The match went down to the final women's doubles rubber between Jenny Wallwork and Donna Kellogg and Lena Frier Kristiansen and Kamilla Juhl.

But in a repeat of the result from the European Team Championships in Liverpool, the Danish pair, who are also European individual champions, emerged victorious.

"We came so close we came to causing an upset," said team manager Julian Robertson,

"The younger players played their part in nearly causing a shock, especially Chris Adcock partnering the experienced Robert Blair. They looked to take control of the game against the world No 2 pair.

"All the young players have gained valuable experience which will help them in years to come and in the many more battles with Denmark and the other top world nations on the road to 2012.

"We have an experienced team and hopefully the young players will feed off the older generation and learn how to win at the highest level."

Meanwhile, organisers have revealed changes to the 2011 Sudirman Cup, which will see an end to promotion and relegation.