"If Lin had won then maybe the score would have been 3-0 but Chong Wei played very well so he deserved to win."

China's Chen Jin celebrates after defeating Muhammad Hafiz Hashim of Malaysia in their key semifinal match at the Thomas Cup in Jakarta yesterday. Chen won 21-12, 21-16.

A relieved Bao said he was determined to win his match to keep his country's hopes alive.

"That was a very important win for us," he said of his game. "I felt I had to win the match and I succeeded in handling the pressure.

"He (Choong Haan) didn't play his best match and made some costly mistakes."

Despite Malaysia losing the tie, Chong Wei was ecstatic at beating his arch-rival Lin.

"This is my best ever win over Lin," he said.

"I always play better at team events for some reason, because I know my country's fortunes are at stake. I made very few mistakes and I didn't expect it to be so easy.

"I don't think Lin played his best, he made a lot of simple mistakes. It comes down to Lin being more nervous. He doesn't usually make those mistakes."

The record book favored Malaysia, with China unable to beat it at the Thomas Cup in three meetings since 1992.

In 1992, Malaysia won in he semis and went on to lift the trophy. It also won at the same stage in 1994 and 2002 in Jakarta and Guangzhou respectively.

But that was where Malaysia's luck ran out, with China winning the tournament in 2004 and 2006.

The women's Uber Cup final is held on Saturday as defending champion China chases a sixth consecutive crown with only host Indonesia standing in their way.

(China Daily May 17, 2008)