27th April TheStar PETALING JAYA: China powered by Olympic champion Zhang Ning look invincible in their bid to claim the Uber Cup world women's team badminton title for the fifth consecutive time. But three other teams - South Korea, Japan and Holland - could ruffle some feathers. Besides the veteran world number one, China have a formidable singles line-up of Xie Xingfang, Jiang Yanjiao, Lu Lan and the doubles pairs of Gao Ling-Huang Sui, Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen and Yu Yang-Du Jing. However, the return of doubles specialist Ra Kyung-min from retirement and former Asian champion Jun Jae-youn from injury may increase South Korea's chances to give a better fight. At the Finals in Jakarta two years ago, China survived a scare to record a 3-1 win over South Korea to lift the Cup. With the advantage of having the home support, hosts Japan will be banking on their world number eight, Kori Maori, to spice up their fight while Holland will be counting on Indonesia-born Mia Audina to carry their team's challenge. Top seeds China and Holland are tipped to meet in the semi-finals while South Korea and Japan are expected to battle it out for the other ticket to the final. Previous strong contenders Denmark are out of the cast for the Finals. Group W: China, Taiwan, United States. Group X: Holland, England, Hong Kong. Group Y: South Korea, Germany, Singapore. Group Z: Japan, New Zealand, South Africa.
CHN's probability to win UC this year is 85% and KOR-JPN-NED have each 5% remains. Looking at CHN-UC players in IBF World rank, they are so obviously have one grade higher than another shuttlers from any team. World number one ZN and WR #2 XXF in singles plus GL/HS (#1) and YW/ZJW (#2) in doubles are strong enough to prove that CHN deserve be numero uno once again in women team competition. Although WRank is not still guarantee but CHN woman squad have booked highest achievement at least last 2 years. You can name it from Olympic Games to WChamp', there's always CHN women shuttlers in both singles and doubles being a winner. Maybe the question properly is who will be the second place in this UC-06?!
Even with home court advantage, I don't think JP is anywhere near to get UC, unless miracle happens. Surely, their lady teams are stronger than ever, but still lack the top top level elites when facing the power houses. Never to metion, you need 3 out of 5 to win, so, 1 or even 2 surprise upset won't change the final result.
With Ra Kyung MIn playing for double, Korea only need their single to win one point over Japan if they meet in semifinal.
Even if Ra plays, wonder how much impact she might bring to the team. She was the best, but after retirement, wonder how's her current physical / mental status is. Also, since her usual partner Lee is not here (or I am wrong?), who will pair with her?
No doubt for China in Uber I agree with you. Think it over, Uber will use the SSSDD system, so if China WIn all in Single, what can Korean do even they have "super double" (i doubt). Remember ZN and XXF never lose to any other country players ( am I right ); they already guarantee Chinese team 2 points and are their any #3 lady single of other countries in the world can beat Chinese #3 (Lu Lan and Yang) I doubt not . In the worsest situation, if ZN and XXF injure that might threat Chinese team in Uber otherwise no reasons why Chinese team will lose in UBer.
I am not saying Korean can beat China but they had a chance to beat Japan in SF if both of them survives their opponent in QF. Lee Yung Kwon , Ra old partner now pair with Lee Hyo Jung. So maybe in Uber, Ra will pair with Lee again. Meanwhile Lee Hyo Jung will pair with her old partner Hwang Hyu Mi. The Uber Cup although we all already know who the winner is but the battle for the semifinal place gonna be real fierce. Natherland, Hong KOng, Germany, Korea, Japan and Taiwan will fight tooth and nail to get the SF place. With Ra comeback playing, Korea had a slight chance to go to final again. That if all of their single didn't lost .
Even Ra is playing for Korea as a second double with Lee Kyung-won, i don't event think they will win against Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen. And to be remeber this is the 4 th game if China vs Korea. However, i don't think in the first 3 matches, there is any Korean singles (Seo and Hwang or Lee Yun-hwa) and Lee Hyo-jung/Hwang Yu-mi will be able to beat the chinese
I don't think China will lost the Uber..they are just way too strong on their singles..and doubles too.
Agreed! It's more like a 97-1-1-1% chance in favour for China to win the Uber Cup. The Chinese ladies are so strong they can play the match in each of their opponents' favourite venue and still be able to sweep it. Now if China fielded their second-string players then it would be something like a chance of 70-10-10-10% of winning. I don't even see how they can call it a scare when China won 3-1 last time. Everything was under control right?? hehehe. If there's a miracle to happen for any underdog to win then I'd surely like to see it! Chinese ladies seem to never disappoint their country in competitions. China lost the Sudirman Cup in 2003 due to MS and MD.
When Ra was playing in the Canadian Open here she was not as fast as she was a few years ago. But then the competition here was weak too. At 30 she is likely to be the oldest doubles female player in the Uber Cup finals. I don't think she will be able to cause any trouble to the Chinese team. For other countries yes. Given that she's a great player in singles, it's a shame for her not to have trained for it. Maybe she could have played 3rd singles and then 2nd doubles.
Not sure if that's a good idea. Ra is no where near the peak, especially due to her age and injuries. Consecutive games will tore her down, even 21 point system might help players who lacks of stamina.
