Thomas Cup 2016: Top 5 contenders

The 2016 edition of the Thoma and Ubder Cup will get underway in Kunshan,China from Sunday and even though the Rio qualification period is over, this competition will certainly be vital, in terms of gaining some much required confidence.

Here’s a look at the Top 5 contenders.

1.China

Always a top contender at any event, China will once again enter into the Thomas Cup Finals as firm favourite to lift the title. In Lin Dan and Chen Long, they have two potent Men’s Singles contenders. While the former may not be delivering as consistently as he would like on the global stage, the All England triumph will surely give him reason to be optimistic about at the event.

While he may not have done at the major events, Chen Long will certainly be a force to reckon with at the event and will be hopeful of doing well in the Men’s Singles category. Tian Houwei, ranked 10^th in the world, will be the third Men’s Singles contender.

In the Doubles, Fu Haifeng and Nan Zhang will carry the hopes and they will be hoping to play a key role in the country winning its 10^th Thomas Cup title next week.

2.Denmark

Another team with an extremely strong Men’s Singles contingent, Denmark have the capability to beat any side on their day and have in their ranks, some extremely lethal playrs.

In Viktor Axelson, they have someone who can beat the best on his day. Presently ranked 4^th in the world, the Dane has in recent times shown that he has the ability to topple some of the best in the business and can repeat those exploits in the Thomas Cup, starting Sunday.

To back Axelson in the Men’s Singles will be World No.5 Jan O Jorgenson and giving them company will be Han-Kristian Vittnghus and Emil Holst.

Th expericed Mathais Boe will lead the doubles contingent for the Danes and will be joined by one-half of the 2015 Indian Open Super Series Mixed Doubles runners-up in the form of Mads Conrad-Pederson.

The Danes are grouped in Group D with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei,Denmark and South Africa.

3.Indonesia

The country to have won the Thomas Cup the maximum number of times, Indonesia will once again come to the competition with a competent squad.

Leading the way in the Men’s Singles will be World No.8 Tommy Sugiarto, who will be assisted by the young Jonathan Christie, who impressed one-and-all at the Sudirman Cup last year.

Anthony Ginting and Ihsan Mustofa will complete an impressive looking Men’s Singles contingent.

However, it is in the Doubles that the Indonesians are likely to be really dangerous with the pairing of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan capable of beating the best in the world and most teams would certainly be weary of this combination.

Indonesia are grouped with India, Hong Kong and Thailand in Group B.

4.Chinese Taipei

Led by World No.7 Chou Tien Chen, the Chinese Taipei squad will have their task cut out in the competition and will need him to play a critical role if they are to progress. Giving him company will be Hsu Jen Hao and Tzu Wei Wang who will need to lift their games if they are to be competitive.

They are grouped with New Zealand, Denmark and South Africa in Group D.

5.Malaysia

The Malayaisn squad will be severealy dependent on their talisman Lee Chong Wei to make any progress in the competition. It is as simple as that. The rest of the contingent need to punch above their weights and ensure that the former World No.1 isn’t the lone bright spot for the Malaysians.

They are grouped with England, Germany and Korea.