China dominates Thomas & Uber Cup group opener
Chinese men's and women's teams whitewashed their opponents 5-0 respectively during the opening day of the group stage at the Thomas and Uber Cup on Saturday.
Liu Shengshu (L)/Tan Ning of China compete in the doubles match against Xiao En Heng/Jin Yu Jia of Singapore during the group A match between China and Singapore at BWF Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
Playing on home soil again since 2016, China is looking to triumph in the biennial international badminton championships, as the badminton powerhouse only finished in the last eight in the men's Thomas Cup and lost the women's Uber Cup final two years ago.
On Saturday, China crushed Singapore in the Uber Cup, with He Bingjiao defeating Yeo Jia Min 21-15, 21-13, while two other local singles players and two local doubles pairs also won in straight games.
"Hopefully my performance will encourage my teammates," said He. "We must show our momentum at home."
In other Uber Cup matches, defending champion South Korea beat Mexico 5-0, and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung led Indonesia to whitewash Hong Kong, China.
On the men's side, world No. 2 Shi Yuqi beat Ricky Tang 21-3, 21-13 in just 29 minutes, leading China to seal a resounding win against Australia.
"I was a little nervous and a little excited today because I don't know my opponent very well and no men's singles player in today's badminton world is easy to beat," said the new captain of China.
"I could feel the spectators' enthusiasm, so I picked up my pace," Shi added.
In earlier plays, world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen dominated in straight games as Denmark thrashed Algeria 5-0, while Malaysia also took a 5-0 win over Hong Kong, China.
The championships, held in Chengdu, southwestern China's Sichuan Province, marked the 33rd edition of the Thomas Cup and the 30th edition of the Uber Cup, with each tournament featuring 16 teams in four groups and taking place from April 27 to May 5.
Related articles
This Week: Home sales, Fed meeting minutes and consumer sentiment index
A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this weekSPOTLIGHT ON HOU2024-05-22Can you nail which royal women committed these acts of manicure mutiny?
Being a female royal, whether by birth or marriage, brings with it a long list of protocols, particu2024-05-22Māori wards ultimatum for councils as coalition government imposes referendums
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-05-22Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrive at funeral of Fernando Gomez
Queen Letizia of Spain cut a demure look today as she and her husband King Felipe today arrived at t2024-05-22Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
Giovanni Pernice has been dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayl2024-05-22Oscars 2024: The Biggest Moments from the 96th Academy Awards
Some of the highlights from the 2024 Oscars ceremony in LA. Clockwise from top left: Director Jonath2024-05-22
atest comment