First blood to Indonesia on finals day

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Reuters) Indonesia drew first blood over China on finals day at the world badminton championships today when second seeds Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir beat top seeds Zheng Bo and Gao Ling 21-16 21-14 in the mixed doubles.

The Chinese failed to produce their best badminton and with help of some powerful smashes from Widianto the Indonesian pair ran out worthy winners.

Another China-Indonesia clash was due later on Sunday in the men's singles with defending champion Lin Dan taking on ninth seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

In the women's singles, China's Zhu Lin, seeded five, was up against Hong Kong's Chen Wang, the sixth seed.

REUTERS TB KN1420