Lin Dan, world top men's singles player, beat Poompat Sapkulchananart 21-18, 21-14 on Monday, June 11, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]June 12 - China launched their defending journey by sweeping Thailand 5-0 at the 10th Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Badminton Championships in Glasgow on Monday.China opened with newly pair Zheng Bo/Gao Ling's win over Songphon Anugritayawon/Kunchala Voravichitchaikul at 21-13, 21-12.Gao was formerly paired with Zhang Jun and the duo won the mixed doubles champion in Sydney and Athens Olympics. As the 21 point system was adopted, Zhang began to fade away and Zheng stole the limelight.It was proved Zheng/Gao were a perfect match as they have won four Super Series and one Open, beating almost all top mixed doubles pairs.Zheng said after the match that he felt well as they beat the Thai duo twice.Xie Xingfang, world second-ranked women's singles shuttler, overcame Soratja Chansrisukot 21-11, 21-9."I never played Chansrisukot before. She is a tall girl and plays in full force. I had to adjust to that," Xie said.When Lin Dan, Xie's boyfriend and world top men's singles player, beat Poompat Sapkulchananart 21-18, 21-14, China has achieved a perfect start.In the other two matches, China's Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng and Yang Wei/Zhao Ting all went through with easy victories.Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese team, tipped China's winning start just so-so because China did not play against a should-be stronger rival.Li added that Thailand should not field such a reserve team."It's a pity that Thailand have lost such a good opportunity to play against the strongest team," said he.In other matches of Group 1, England surprised all by beating Malaysia 3-2, South Korea fielded Han Sang Hoon/Lee Hyo Jung in the mixed doubles, thus edging Indonesia 3-2, while Denmark led Hong Kong, China 3-0, wrapping up the competition 3-2.In Group 2, Singapore beat Sweden 5-0, Chinese Taipei defeated Germany 4-1, Japan piped the Netherlands 4-1 and Poland outlasted Russia 4-1.