- Japan won the Uber Cup for the sixth time.
- China got its 10th title in Thomas Cup.
Canada achieved its bets result in Uber Cup
Uber Cup
Penultimate day of TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2018 saw the victory of Japan against the host Thailand for the Uber Cup Final. Seeded 1 won 3-0 against a surprising Thai team that reached this stage after defeating last Champion, China, in Semifinals.
The first match faced Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) and Ratchanok Intanon (THA), where the Japanese, world No. 2, was able to impose its game against Intanon (world No. 4) and won by 21-15 and 21- 19, thus granting the first point for the team.
Japan got the 2-0 in the Doubles match where world No. 2 duo, Fukushima / Hirota, beat locals Kititharakul / Supajirakul 21-18 and 21-12.
Nozomi Okujara, Women’s Singles World Champion, sealed the victory by winning the third match of the series against Nitchaon Jindapol by 21-12 and 21-9.
“This victory is different from the World Championships. There was a lot of trust in my team-mates. I just focused on what I had to do. After Akane won the first match, all of us had a good feeling,” said Okuhara, adding that their coach had cautioned them not to be concerned about the stadium atmosphere.
Clutching the gleaming trophy for the first time since 1981, the Japanese savoured their podium presentation, smiling and laughing as they were the centre of attention.
Thomas Cup
The title No. 10 came for China after an intense confrontation against Japan, who defeated Denmark (last champion) in Semifinals and were motivated by the victory of their compatriots in the Uber Cup.
In this way, Kento Momota surprised in the first game by beating Chinese star Chen Long, world No. 5, by 21-9 and 21-18. However, China would equal the overall score in the first Doubles match where world No. 3 duo, Liu / Zhang (CHN) beat Inoue / Kaneko by 21-10 and 21-18. Shi Yuqi, world No. 3, put the second point for China by scoring a 21-12 and 21-17 against Kenta Nishimoto, bringing them close to the title.
Series definition was given in the second doubles match, where the world No. 4 duo Li / Liu (CHN) gave an exciting victory after 3 tight sets against Sonoda / Watanabe by 17-21, 21-19 and 22 -20 in 70 minutes of play.
China’s singles coach Xia Xuanze could barely conceal his emotions at China regaining the trophy: “I’m very excited to win this after six years. This means a lot to us. I was part of the team in the 2004 Thomas Cup-winning squad, and now I’m a coach – it’s quite significant. I was supposed to play the third singles in that tie, but I wasn’t required to go on court. This is a big moment for China and we’re very proud that we beat other good teams to win the title.”
Photo credit: Badminton Photo
