WORLD champion Lu Lan and World No 3 Wang Lin have been dropped by China for the Uber Cup Finals, but the defending champions still remain the hot favourites to retain the title.
Take a look at the “stars” in their squad who will compete in the 23rd edition of the Uber Cup at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur from May 9-16.
China, the world’s most populous country, don’t seem to have any problem in churning out world beaters.
China who have the luxury of having five women’s singles players in the top five in world ranking have named current World No 1 Wang Yihan, Wang Xin (No 2) and Wang Shixian (No 4). Also in the team is the experienced Jiang Yanjiao, who is ranked No 5.
As Denmark’s No 1 woman shuttler and reigning All-England and European champion Tine Rasmussen said: “China don’t seem to have producing champions” and they will certainly start as the favourites.
The left handed Wang Xin is no stranger to the Malaysian badminton fraternity, having won the Proton Malaysia Open Super Series.
Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli are the world’s top ranked women’s doubles pair as of the latest world ranking list. Second ranked Du Jing-Yu Yang and Pan Pan-Tian Qing adds weight to the mighty Chinese.
Malaysia suffered a double blow when Lydia Cheah and Julia Wong, ranked second and third respectively in the team, picked up knee injuries during training and have been replaced by Sannatasah Saniru and Sonia Cheah. Sonia, younger sister of Lydia, reached the quarter-finals in the recent World Junior Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Still, Malaysia are confident of reaching at the quarter-finals at least from their group. Malaysia can count on their No 1 woman shuttler Wong Mew Choo and the strong doubles pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, who enjoyed a brief stay as World No 1 last year. Mew Choo is the reigning Yonex-BWF Masters Super Series Finals singles champion.
Malaysia are drawn in Group A with China and the United States of America (USA).
Three time champions Indonesia and three time runners-up Denmark look good bets to advance to the last eight from Group B while five time winners Japan should top Group C with Russia and Germany will have to fight it out to advance.
South Korea, who lost to China in five finals should have no difficulty in topping D with India, powered by World No 6 Saina Nehwal should join them. The other team in the group is South Africa.
A fresh draw will be conducted for the knockout stage.
GROUP A: China, Malaysia, USA
GROUP B: Indonesia, Denmark, Australia
GROUP C: Japan, Russia, Germany
GROUP D: South Korea, India, South Africa
Source : Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 Official Website
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