体坛英语新闻：Defending champion China on winning start at Sudirman Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China started their defending journey by sweeping India 5-0 at the 13th Sudirman Cup world team badminton championships here on Sunday.

Looking forward to winning a historical five-in-a-row Sudirman Cup, China opened with Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei's victory over Tarun Kona/Ashwini Ponnappa in mixed doubles event at 21-10, 21-13. The Chinese pair ranked third in the world while their opponents were 31st.

World No.2 Chen Long then beat Kashyap Parupalli 21-11, 21-9 in men's singles to extend China's overall lead to 2-0.

"I haven't played matches for three or four weeks after the Asian Championships. Though I started well today, I still got some pressure," said Chen. "After winning the first set, I was much released and the match became easier then."

In men's doubles, Liu Xiaolong/Qiu Zihan suffered the test from Akshay Dewalkar/Pranaav Jerry Chopra. The Chinese pair came from behind to win the first set 25-23 and then sealed the win for China by winning the second set 21-18.

Wang Yihan, who was just awarded the BWF female player of 2012 on Sunday, beat Sindhu 19-21, 21-16 and 21-14. Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli took a quick victory over Ashwini Ponnappa/Pradnya Gadre in only 28 minutes with 21-18, 21-11.

China's trophy in 2011 tied its own record of winning four consecutive Sudirman Cups from 1995 to 2001. Winning this year's title will lead China to a historical fifth consecutive Sudirman Cup.