The first part of the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals knockout stage came to a close on May 19th. Now the remaining teams have their eyes on the semifinal.
Road to the Semifinal
Indonesia is into the Thomas Cup semifinal after a determined win over Hong Kong, 3-1. Tommy Sugiarto (VOLTRIC 80 E-tune, POWER CUSHION 02 LTD) opened up for his team in singles against Ng Ka Long Angus, pulling off a comeback victory after dropping the opening game. Tables were completely turned in the final two games, Tommy vehemently refusing to let his opponent get the lead. The final score came to 11-21 21-19 21-15. This is Tommy’s second win over Ng at this tournament—the two faced off in the Group Stage, with Tommy winning 21-17 22-20.
Lee Chong Wei (DUORA 10 LCW, POWER CUSHION 02 LTD) set the tone for Malaysia’s advance into the semifinals over Chinese Taipei, 3-1. The World No. 2 from Malaysia went face to face with Chou Tien Chen (DUORA 10, POWER CUSHION 65 WIDE). Chinese Taipei’s No. 1 did his best to keep pace with Chong Wei, but the Malaysian national hero remained resolute to wrap up the match at 21-18 21-18. Chong Wei sealed victory with a brilliantly calculated smash straight into the back of the court.
Denmark put a stop to Japan’s advance 3-2, establishing their place in the semifinal. Viktor Axelsen (ARCSABER 11, POWER CUSHION 65) opened with a solid win over Sho Sasaki, 21-13 21-16. This straight win would be followed by another courtesy of Mathias Boe (DUORA 10, POWER CUSHION COMFORT TOUR) and Mads Conrad-Petersen, defeating Hiroyuki Endo (DUORA 10) and Kenichi Hayakawa 21-16 21-17. “We knew Hiroyuki and Kenichi were strong players, so we’re really happy that we could get a win over them,” commented Mathias after the match.
It was a completely different story for Denmark and Japan in the battle for the Uber Cup, with the Japanese ladies defeating the Danes 3-0. Ayaka Takahashi (DUORA 7) and Misaki Matsutomo clashed with Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DUORA 10, Yonex Shoes) and Christinna Pedersen’s (DUORA 7, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES), engaging in a fierce power struggle in the opening game. Tied at 21-21, the Japanese managed to get the final two points needed to seal game 1. The Japanese pair would gain full control in game 2, the final score coming to 23-21 21-16. In singles, Akane Yamaguchi (VOLTRIC 70 E-tune) comfortably defeated Mette Poulsen at 21-15 21-11.
India triumphed over Thailand to seal a spot in the semifinal, 3-1. While Ratchanok Intanon (VOLTRIC 70 E-tune, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) struck first blood for her country with a 21-12 21-19 win against Saina Nehwal (NANORAY 900, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES), P. V. Sindhu (VOLTRIC Z-FORCE II, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) secured the first win for India against Busanan Ongbumrungphan (NANORAY Z-SPEED, POWER CUSHION 02 LTD), 21-18 21-7.
BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2016 Results
Thomas Cup Quarterfinals
Korea def. China 3-1
Indonesia def. Hong Kong 3-1
Malaysia def. Chinese Taipei 3-1
Denmark def. Japan 3-2
Uber Cup Quarterfinals
China def. Chinese Taipei 3-0
India def. Thailand 3-1
Korea def. Indonesia 3-0
Japan def. Denmark 3-0