China vows to take back Uber Cup

Wuhan (China) – Badminton powerhouse China, who conceded the Uber Cup to South Korea two years ago, vowed to revenge on home courts this time, fielding its world top four singles and top two doubles players.

In 2010, the Chinese women’s badminton team, featuring seven Uber Cup debutants in the 10-shuttler squad, surrendered the title for the first time since 1998 with a 1-3 loss to South Korea, Xinhua reported.

From May 20 to May 27, in Wuhan, China is determined to take back the Uber Cup, as it sends singles world top four Wang Yihan, Wang Xin, Wang Shixian, Li Xuerui and doubles world top two Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli and Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei.

The only shuttlers not from world top four in the Chinese team are doubles veterans Cheng Shu/Pan Pan. China passes over world No. 9 Bao Yixin/Zhong Qianxin and No.11 Tang Jinhua/Xia Huan to take veterans Cheng/Pan (No.24) for the backup doubles slot.

“Cheng partnered with Zhao and Pan partnered with Tian before, so we call up Cheng/Pan in order to prevent injury from either Zhao and Tian,” said Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese team.

World champion Wang Yihan expressed the team’s determination to regain the Uber Cup.

“We lost the Uber Cup, then we should take it back,” said Yihan, who has a bitter memory at the Uber Cup two years ago, losing the first singles’ match and giving South Korean opponents a morale opening point.

“Losing the Uber Cup two years ago is our permanent grief, which was made by ourselves. The self-conceited troops are destined to fail, so we will prepare carefully for the coming Uber Cup,” said coach Li.

South Korea is still China’s major rival, though the defending champion dig below the world’s top 100 for a third singles player, but still finding Hwang Hye Youn, a former Asian Games and All England bronze medallist.

South Korea’s singles Sung Ji Hyun and Bae Youn Joo ranked No. 11 and No.13, and their two doubles pairs are among world top ten.