Top five ties to watch at Uber Cup 2024

Published at :April 26, 2024 at 12:10 PM

Modified at :April 27, 2024 at 5:06 AM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

Hosts China brace for young Indian challenge in one of the matches to watch.

Chengdu, China will host the 30th Uber Cup, a biannual international badminton competition played by the women’s national teams of the member associations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The tournament will see 16 teams competing for the trophy from April 28 to May 5.

The tournament was first played in 1956/57 and is named after British player Betty Uber, who played a major role in the inauguration of the event.

This year, in addition to the host nation China and defending champions South Korea, 14 other nations have also qualified for the Uber Cup 2024. These nations include Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, India, Denmark, USA, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong China, Singapore, Australia, Mexico, and Uganda.

Since teams consider it one of the premier tournaments, fans will undoubtedly witness some high-octane badminton action. Moreover, with the best players from around the world participating, the level of competition is expected to be intense. Let’s look at five ties which the fans wouldn’t want to miss out.

Ties to watch at Uber Cup 2024

Thailand vs Chinese Taipei

Thailand seems like the team to defeat and will be one of the favourites. With Pornpawee Chochuwong’s return after injury, Thailand will look to better their finish of 2018, when they lost in the finals. With players like Busanan Ongbamrungphan and the Aimsaard sisters in their ranks, they will be looking to post some wins for their country.

Their biggest challenge in the group stages will be from Chinese Taipei, which will be one of the teams to watch out with Tai Tzu Ying in their ranks. The 29-year-old is in her final year of professional Badminton and will look to take her team to bigger success. A win against a strong Thailand will give them the confidence to challenge other teams.

India vs Canada

Group A is one of the toughest groups with the hosts, China, along with the likes of India, Canada, and Singapore. With China certain to take one spot, the second will be a toss-up between Canada and India. The Canadians, with an in-form Michelle Li, Wen Yu Zhang, and Rachel Chan in the singles division, as well as Catherine Choi/Josephine Wu in the doubles can challenge team India.

Top stars like PV Sindhu have opted out of the Uber Cup. Yet, India will look to pose a tough challenge with a young team against Canada. Anmol Kharb, a 17-year-old national champion who was instrumental in the Indian women’s team’s gold medal victory in the Badminton Asia Team Championships earlier this year, will be a key player. Tanvi Sharma and Ashmita Chaliha will also take the field for singles ties.

Japan vs Indonesia

With Akane Yamaguchi, Aya Ohori, Nozomi Okuhara, and some depth in doubles, Japan can also rely on their formidable team. They will look to make amends having missed out on the title in the last edition. They have left no stone unturned as they included the new young sensation Tomoka Miyazaki in the squad and it will be interesting to see how she plays.

The 2018 Champions will take on Indonesia in their Group C encounter. The Indonesian challenge will be led by the World No.9 doubles pair of Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti. The Singles baton will be handled by their talismanic Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. A win for any team will keep them in good stead for the rest of the tournament.

South Korea vs Denmark

The defending champions South Korea continue to be one of the top three sides of the world of women’s Badminton. But it won’t be easy to defend their title as their Singles contingent looks to be an area that many teams can target. Koreans have An Se Young as their primary enforcer in the Singles category, the others appear to be untested.

For Denmark Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt and Mia Blichfeldt will be primary challengers for the singles title fixtures. With the presence of doubles pair like Maiken Fruergaard and Sara Thygesen, don’t be surprised if Denmark makes an early upset.

China vs India

Hosts China will be the favourites going into the tournament having named a formidable squad. The members of the Chinese contingent are coming off a successful Badminton Asia Championships where everyone bagged a medal. Wang Zhi Yi will lead their attack alongside the likes of Chen Yufei, He Bing Jiao, and Han Yue to take home the title.

One of their biggest opponents from the Group will be India who have named a young squad. Despite missing big names, the team is on a high after winning the Badminton Asia Team Championships and in sports nothing matters more than confidence from playing well. Indians will look to continue the momentum to challenge China on their home turf.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram