GLASGOW, May 22: England'S Darren Hall marked his comeback from injury by defeating World silver medallist Park Sung-Woo but could not prevent South Korea from opening their Sudirman Cup World Team Championship campaign with a 4-1 victory yesterday.

The South Koreans, twice former winners, clinched the win in the fourth match when All-England champions Kang Kyung-Jin and Ha Tae-Kwon defeated Simon Archer and Chris Hunt 15-8 15-8 in the men's doubles.

England, who had already lost to defending champions China, now face a Group One relegation play-off against Sweden, themselves suffering their second defeat of the tournament at the hands of Denmark.

South Korea, who meet China on Thursday for a place in the semifinals, won the opening mixed doubles but Hall raised hopes of an upset win for England with a stunning 15-10 17-15 victory over Park, the world number eight.

In the women's singles, Kim Ji-Hyun put South Korea back in front with an 11-5 11-1 win over Julia Mann setting the stage for men's doubles pair to secure victory.

Denmark, bronze medallists two years ago, opened their bid for a first triumph in the Sudirman Cup by defeating Sweden in double-quick time.

The Danes, despite resting Olympic champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen ahead of today's match against Indonesia, won the opening three rubbers in straight games to ensure sweet revenge over their Scandinavian rivals. They went on to win the tie 4-1.

The last time the two countries met in Glasgow, Sweden scored a shock win in the final of the 1992 European Championship.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.