KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's impressive run at the Thomas Cup ended in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Playing in their first semi-finals in eight years, the Malaysian team lost 3-1 to host China at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre in Chengdu.
China drew first blood through world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi, who made quick work of world No. 10 Lee Zii Jia 21-19, 21-5 in the first singles match.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik restored order when they stunned world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang 15-21, 21-12, 21-17.
The victory was a huge boost for the world No. 5 Malaysians, who have only defeated the Chinese pair once in seven prior meetings.
China, however, went ahead again through Hangzhou Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng who outclassed Leong Jun Hao 21-17, 21-10 in the second singles match.
In form men's doubles duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were left in a do-or-die situation.
They had to win to send the match into the last and deciding men's singles match.
But despite holding advantage, the world No. 15 couldn't contain world No. 11 He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu.
The pair buoyed by the home support ultimately won 18-21, 21-19, 21 to seal China's spot in their 14th Thomas Cup final.
China will play Indonesia, who defeated Taiwan 3-0 in the last four, on Sunday.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Thomas Cup
China bt Malaysia 3-1 (Shi Yu Qi bt Lee Zii Jia 21-19, 21-5; Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang lost to Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik 21-15, 12-21, 17-21; Li Shi Feng bt Leong Jun Hao 21-17, 21-10; He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu bt Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 18-21, 21-19, 21-12);
Indonesia bt Taiwan 3-0 (Anthony Sinisuka Ginting bt Chou Tien Chen 21-18, 21-19; Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto bt Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin 16-21, 21-19, 21-18; Jonatan Christie bt Wang Tzu Wei 21-11, 21-16).