Big names turn up for Thomas & Uber events
Chen, Shi and Lin lead men’s charge in Thomas Cup; Li’s return gives Uber defence big boost
>> China are hoping for a clean sweep of this year’s Thomas Cup and Uber Cup at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, sending in men’s badminton big guns Chen Long, Shi Yuqi and Lin Dan as their women’s shuttlers aim for a fourth win on the spin.
The prestigious biennial event, which starts tomorrow, brings together 16 top teams from five continents for a week of intense competition for the men’s Thomas Cup and the women’s Uber Cup.
China, the world’s highest ranked team, arrive in Thailand with a point to prove on the men’s side after ignominiously tumbling out in the quarters on home soil two years ago.
Olympic champion Chen is joined by this year’s All England champion Shi — and the man he conquered in the final, the evergreen Lin.
Flanked by a strong doubles side, China should cruise through a group with France, Australia and an understrength India, who have left out a number of their stars to keep them fresh for the Asian Games.
“China’s men are strong this year... everyone will be praying to avoid them,” said Rajes Paul, a journalist and badminton pundit at The Star newspaper in Malaysia.
Japan will likely provide the main challenge with “bad boy” Kento Momota — banned from the Rio Olympics for illegal gambling — back in their ranks, she added.
Last month Momota stunned hot favourite Chen to be crowned badminton’s Asian champion, breezing past Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei in straight sets on his way to the final.
Reigning Thomas Cup champions Denmark, who in 2016 made history by becoming the first non-Asian team to take the silver-gilt trophy, have their own ace in the pack — world No.1 Viktor Axelsen.
But they must compete without doubles star Carsten Mogensen, who has been ruled out with sickness.
Denmark’s group includes Russia, Algeria and Malaysia for whom veteran Lee is making his final Thomas Cup tilt.
China’s bid to retain the Uber Cup has been boosted by the return from long-term injury of former world No.1 and London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui.
Holders China have relinquished the Uber Cup once in the last 10 tournaments — in 2010 to South Korea — and the young team carry high expectations to Bangkok.
But Li’s return may not be enough to help fend off the expected challenge from five-time winners Japan, who are led in the singles by world No.2 Akane Yamaguchi, No.8 Nozomi Okuhara and who also boast two strong doubles pairs.
“It will be close. Maybe it could be the end of the era of China [dominance]?” Paul added.
The home challenge will be spearheaded by world No.4 Ratchanok Intanon whose teammates include Nitchaon Jindapol and Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
They have a solid team that should emerge from a group which include Taiwan, Hong Kong and Germany.
“We hope the women’s team can make it to the semi-finals,” said Thailand coach Grithtin Kridtanukoon.
The Uber Cup final is scheduled for May 26 and the Thomas Cup final will take place the next day.