Uber Cup:
Hosts China have maintained a pretty one-sided story in this competition since their first title in 1984. Indonesia in 1994 and 1996, and Korea in 2010 are the only challengers to have succeeded in preventing the obvious, which brings us to the start of 26th edition of Uber Cup.
Although reigning World Champion Carolina Marin is a part of the Spanish contingent who face off against holders China, chances of an upset look bleak with Denmark and Malaysia being the other contenders in Group A.
Star shuttlers Li Xuerui, Wang Yihan and Wang Shixian are ranked 3, 4 and 6 respectively in BWF singles currently, making the Chinese force an indomitable one on course to lift the Cup for their third consecutive time. The pairings of Tang Yuanting – Yu Yang and Tiang Qing – Zhao Yunlei in doubles only strengthen their shot at supremacy even further.
Korea is expected to have a relatively smoother run with Chinese Taipei and minnows Mauritius and United States to share Group B with.
In Group C, Thailand and Indonesia will look to outdo each other with the former holding a slight edge over the others, courtesy of the likes of World No. 2 Ratchanok Intanon representing them which will heavily swing matters in their favour.
Finally, it’s the thrilling lineup in Group D which will see a promising Indian unit represented by decorated players like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu clashing against second seeds Japan powered by stalwarts like Nozomi Okuhara in singles. With 5 prior titles, Japan are behind only to 13-time winners China in the Uber Cup.
The formidable doubles leaders of the world, Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi will look to spoil the party for the Indian duo of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa who won gold in the South Asian Games earlier this year. Sikki Reddy Nelakurthi and Maneesha Kukkapalli in doubles alongside Tanvi Lad, P. C. Thulasi and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde in singles will look to help India to a strong outing this time around.
Australia and Germany make up the remaining two places in Group D.
