Authoritative China retain Uber title

A day after badminton powerhouse China made a shocking exit from the Thomas Cup, their ‘extra-motivated’ women’s counterparts restored pride, clinching their 13th Uber Cup title here on Saturday. China trounced five-time champions Japan 3-1, to successfully defend their crown besides stamping their authority, with top-ranked shuttlers Li Xuerui and Wang Shixian setting up their drive for glory. Japan men’s team had stunned China 3-0 in the Thomas Cup semi-finals.

For Japan, the only resistance came from their first doubles pair of Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi, who pulled one rubber back with an inspiring 21-18, 21-9 win over world no. 2 Bao Yixin and Tang Jinhua in 46 minutes.Soon after the tie wound up, the prize distribution followed with the Chinese contingent shining brightly in their florescent green jackets. Having received the winning trophy, the champions went up to their opponents, including Japan, Korea and India, to show respect.

For the home nation, who took the bronze medal along with Korea, it was a proud moment to stand at the podium for the first time.World no. 1 Li, adjudged the 2013 BWF Player of the Year on Friday night, grabbed the first point for China with a clinical victory over Minatsu Mitani. Li hardly faced any difficulty in overcoming Minatsu, winning 21-15, 21-5 in just 36 minutes.

The first doubles was expected to go down to the wire but the Japanese fourth ranked pair came up victorious riding on their persistent attacking game.But All England champion Wang brushed aside youngster Sayaka Takahashi 21-16, 21-12 as China led 2-1.In the second doubles, and Zhao Yunlei and Wang Xiaoli carried on the momentum, needing just 37 minutes to beat world no. 5 Miyuki Maeda and Reika Kakiiwa 21-13, 21-6, to seal the issue.Wang said that they were keen to win the tie after their men’s early exit.“We were extra-motivated to win the final. We believe in ourselves,” said Wang.