Chinese players dominate Li Ning China Open qualifiers

The China players ensured a clean sweep in the qualifying rounds of the Li Ning China Open Super Series 2010. However, it was Zhou Wenlong who stole the limelight after brushing aside Yuekun Chen 21-13, 21-19 in 34 minutes to earn a spot in the main draw of the men’s singles event.

Not to be mistaken with the character of the same name in Singapore’s television series The Price of Peace, Zhou is eager to make an impression on the courts.

The youngster trains alongside China’s hero Lin Dan, but Zhou could be staring at an early exit in the hands of his idol. Lin Dan plays Zhou in Round 1. Fresh from his Asian Games gold medal effort, Super Dan could face countryman Chen Long in the quarter-final followed by Chen Jin in the semi-final.

The other men’s singles qualifier is Lu Yi. He managed to outpace Liao Junwei 21-13, 21-17 to earn a spot in Round 1.

It will be interesting to see how far German lass Juliane Schenk could go in the women’s singles event. Sixth seed Schenk plays Korean Bae Seung Hee in Round 1 followed by a possible date with another European player, Petya Nedelcheva of Bulgaria in Round 2.

In the qualifying rounds, China’s Liu Xin was forced to sweat it out before edging team mate Di Suo 23-25, 21-16, 27-25 in a match that stretched almost two hours. Xia Jingyun also made the cut after beating another China player Yao Xue 21-15, 21-15 in 33 minutes.

Flash: China wins gold in Men's Canoe Double of Canoe/Kayak Slalom

China won the gold medal in Men's Canoe Double of Canoe/Kayak Slalom at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 16.

Chinese athletes of Men's Canoe Double of Canoe/Kayak Slalom in the competition

Chinese athletes of Men's Canoe Double of Canoe/Kayak Slalom on the podium

Flash: China wins Men's Team gold in Badminton

China won the gold medal in Men's Team Badminton at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 15, beating R.O. Korea 3-1 in the Final.

China wins the gold medal in Men's Team Badminton at the 16th Asian Games.

Chinese Lin Dan in Men's Team Badminton competition

Xinhua: China's Wushu star Yuan wins first gold of Asian Games

China's Wushu star Yuan Xiaochao captured the first gold medal at the Guangzhou Asian Games for the host country in the Men's Changquan form on Saturday.

China's Wushu star Yuan Xiaochao (middle) at the Victory Ceremony

Chinese Wushu star Yuan Xiaochao in the competition

The defending champion Yuan, 22, impressed the judges and audiences with acrobatic, swift moves to snatch the gold medal with 9.78 points.

Japan's Daisuke Ichikizaki took the silver with 9.72 and Iran's Peyghambari Ehsan claimed the bronze with 9.70 points.

"I know my parents must be watching me now through the live broadcast, and I hope they will be healthy," said Yuan.

China's hope for the 1st gold of the whole Games rests on the shoulder of world champions Yuan, basing on his undefeated performances these years.

"It's my first time to see so many journalists. Such a tense attention on me means pressure, but motivation as well," said Yuan.

More than 150 athletes will compete for 15 gold medals in Wushu, a full contact sport derived from Chinese martial art. The Chinese, who founded the sport, are seen the favorites in theten events they will participate.

The sport comprises Taolu (set routines), and Sanshou boxing (free sparring). Changquan form, or long fist boxing, featuring imitations of animal moves, is the basic and main style of modern Wushu, mostly performed in north China.

A total of 476 gold medals are on offer at the Guangzhou Aisan Games, with around 9,700 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 42 sports until Nov. 27.

Super Dan to lead court battles

Compared to China's struggling "big ball" teams, the nation's racquet sports squads always seem to be in contention at major events.

China's Lin Dan takes to the Guangzhou Asian Games courts, knowing the adoring home crowd fully expects him to steamroll anyone who gets in his way.

Peng Shuai of China returns a shot against Sara Errani of Italy during the China Open at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing on October 4.

That's once again the case at the Guangzhou Asian Games, where the "little ball" competitions represent huge medal hopes.

China's shuttlers are expected to dominate the podiumin Guangzhou after claiming all five titles at the Paris World Championships in August.

Although stunned by world No.1, Malaysian Lee Chong Wei, in the final of the Japan Open last month, China's world and Olympic champion Lin Dan is still the hot favourite in men's singles.

The Asiad title represents the only blank on Lin's list of major championships.

"I just take it easy about the singles title. They will be close games against any Asian opponent, and I'm mature enough to face any difficulties even another failure," said Lin, who lost to Indonesian Taufik Hidayat in the singles final at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

Besides Lin, Chen Jin, China's No.2, who is drawn with Lee in the same half, is aiming to maintain the winning form he showed in taking the Worlds title in Paris two months ago.

The tandem of Lee and Taufik is not the only force capable of spoiling the Chinese party.

Hafiz Hashim, the second ranked Malaysian shuttler, Park Sung-Hwan of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan's Kenichi Tago are also medal contenders.

On the women's side, revenge against the ROK, which upset China at the Uber Cup finals in May, will be the biggest motivation for the home side.

China's highly-ranked squad, including world No.1 Wang Xin and No.3 Wang Shixian, has tuned up well after the Worlds triumph in August to get ready for medal challengers from Malaysia, Hong Kong and the ROK.

"Our target is to grab more gold medals than last time at Doha," said head coach Li Yongbo.

India's Saina Nehwal, the world No.3, is another to watch out for. The 20-year-old from Hyderabad has enjoyed a fine year, including winning gold at the Commonwealth Games last month.

Meanwhile, the all-powerful Chinese paddlers are again expected to make a clean sweep in Guangzhou.

Singapore, which shocked defending champion China at the World Team Championships in May, stands a chance to break the host team's juggernaut, while Japan and the ROK could also surprise.

China will feature Doha Asian Games gold medalists Ma Lin, Wang Hao and Guo Yue and they will be joined by their younger and already well-established teammates, Ma Long and Liu Shiwen.

Three-time Asiad gold medalist Wang Linqin was replaced by 20-year-old Xu Xin on the roster just one week ahead of the games' tip-off on November 13.

"Replacing Wang with Xu is to let the youngsters learn more from top-level multi-sports games and to help them get ready for the 2012 London Olympics. But Wang still has a chance to go to London," said men's coach Liu Guoliang.

Led by world No.11 Li Na, China's tennis team is hoping to break its Asian Games record of three gold medals at Beijing's Asiad in 1990.

As usual, the success is likely to come from the women's side.

"The Asian Games is a proper stage for the young aces to grow. But we are here for the gold medals, especially for the women's team," said head coach Jiang Hongwei, who led the female squad to two gold and three bronze at the Doha Games.

China is favoured to win the women's team event, boasting balanced power in singles and doubles play.

Veteran Peng Shuai and upcoming Zhang Shuai are the top two singles title hopes, but they will face tough challenges from Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm and Indian Sania Mirza.

The inclusion of Yan Zi, a two-time Grand Slam women's doubles title winner, boosts China's chances of winning the doubles event.

As the women go for gold, China's men's squad will be satisfied with a medal of any colour.

The young team, led by Zhang Ze, Gong Maoxin and Bai Yan, will gain valuable experience at the Asian Games, where Lu Yen-hsun, the world No.43 from Chinese Taipei, is the title favourite.

"What they need is patience and confidence," coach Lu Ling said of China's men's squad.

China looks for golden streak

Since 1982, China has dominated track and field at the Asian Games, and the simple aim this time around is to maintain that high standard in Guangzhou.

Liu Xiang on his way to finishing third in the 110m hurdles at the Shanghai IAAF Diamond league athletics meet on May 23.

"The basic goal for the whole team is to maintain the leading position in the gold medal tally of the sport," said Feng Shuyong, Head Coach of China's national track and field team.

"The situation will be complex during the competitions, but our main rival is still the Japanese team," Feng said.

At the Doha Asian Games four years ago, China claimed 14 gold medals in track and field, followed by Bahrain with six and Japan with five.

"Before 1982, the Japanese dominated the sport in Asia. But no matter - at the Asian Games or other major events - our own performances are what we are interested in. We hope the athletes can focus on their training and not feel too much pressure to perform on home soil."

Although China's star hurdler, Liu Xiang, has been shadowed by injury since the Beijing Games in 2008, the former Olympic and world champion is still the man to watch in Guangzhou; just as he was two years ago at the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Shanghai hurdler is confident of winning his third successive Asian Games title.

"I want to win at my third Asian Games and add another gold medal for China," Liu said before heading for the Games. "I have been in good form recently and I want to get the right feeling back. My biggest opponent in each race is myself, and I think my confidence is based on real power."

The 110m hurdles is considered one of China's strongest events in athletics. China's No.2 hurdler, Shi Dongpeng, who defeated Liu at the Shanghai Diamond League meet in May, is likely to make it a 1-2 finish for the host nation.

Other potential gold medalists include World Championship men's 20km walk runner-up Wang Hao, women's marathon world champion, Bai Xue, veteran marathoner Zhou Chunxiu, women's hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu and women's discus World Cup champion Li Yanfeng.

Due to a foot injury, Bai won't run in the marathon at the Guangzhou Asian Games, but will instead compete in the women's 10,000m. That makes veteran Zhou, the 2007 London Marathon champion, the favourite to win the marathon.

Race walker Wang is recovering from a leg injury and will face a stiff challenge from the Japanese.

"All the season's best results have been from Japanese athletes. We have to raise our own levels if we are to achieve victory in Guangzhou," said Feng.

Source : China Daily

China's Guangzhou ready for 16th Asian Games

A picture taken on November 10, 2010 shows the aerial view of Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. The 16th Asian Games would run in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

A picture taken on November 10, 2010 shows the aerial view of Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. The 16th Asian Games would run in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

Picture taken on November 10, 2010 shows the aerial view of Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. The 16th Asian Games would run in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

A picture taken on November 10, 2010 shows the crescent and the Guangzhou Tower in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. The 16th Asian Games would run in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

The picture taken on November 10, 2010 shows the bird's-eye view of the Tianhe Sports Centre Stadium in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province where the Group A soccer match of the 16th Asian Games between China and Kyrgyzstan is held. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

A picture taken on November 10, 2010 shows a helicopter flying over the illuminated Zhujiang River in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. The 16th Asian Games would run in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Source : The Official Website of the 16th Asian Games

THOMAS CUP UPDATE: CAI YUN-HAIFENG WIN CHINA’S SECOND POINT IN THREE-SET THRILLER

KUALA LUMPUR (16 May 2010) - Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng grabbed the second point for China in a three-set thrilling win over Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan which lasted over an hour.
Cai Yun-Haifeng, all pumped up from Lin Dan’s fabulous win in the first singles, took to the court strongly with a 5-0 lead before Markis-Hendra fought point for point in the closing stages of the first set.
But the Chinese pair were not to be denied as they won the first set 25-23 in 23 minutes as Markis and Hendra had little choice but to take the second set.
And win they did as even though Cai Yun-Haifeng came up to draw 4-4 at one point, Markis-Hendra never looked back to win 21-16 in 17 minutes.
But the third set was all China when they took the first point and never allowed the Indonesians the chance of a comeback to win the third set 21-12 in 18 minutes for China’s second point in the final.
The third single will see Chen Jin playing Simon Santoso next.

THOMAS CUP UPDATE: LIN DAN OVERPOWERS TAUFIK FOR FIRST POINT

KUALA LUMPUR (16 May 2010) - Lin Dan won the first point for China in an uncompromising fashion when he overpowered Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat in 43 minutes in the first singles.
The Chinese No. 1, who had dumped world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia just two days earlier, was again in his mettle when he raced to a quick 5-0 lead before taking the first set 21-7 in 17 minutes.
Taufik tried to get back into contention with a stronger start in the second set by picking up the first few points.
But Lin Dan’s superb net play was just too formidable to resist as he then stepped up a gear to take a 14-12 lead as he then never looked back to win the set 21-14 in 26 minutes for China’s first point.
Next up will be the first doubles with China banking on Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng to win their second point against Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.

WE WILL BE BACK STRONGER, SAYS YONGBO

KUALA LUMPUR (15 MAY 2010) – “We will be back stronger,” said China chief coach Li Yongbo after the defending champions surrendered the Uber Cup to South Korea - going down 1-3 in the final at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
The mighty Chinese had been the undisputed Uber Cup queens since 1998.
However, the Great Wall crumbled this evening as the Koreans broke the jinx of having lost the last five Uber Cup finals to China.
Yongbo blamed inexperience as the main cause of the defeat and said: “China did not play well today although I had confidently predicted that we will retain the Cup.
“However, confidence alone which was based on our past matches in the group stage, quarter-finals and the semi-finals, cannot win title. Having confidence does not mean you win.”
In the same breath, Yongbo added that most of the teams do not want China to keep on winning.
"It becomes rather boring. So it is good to let Korea win the Cup to give badminton some variety," he quipped.
Yongbo said China will now prepare for other upcoming tournaments like the World Championships and the Asian Games.
“But we will be back for the Uber Cup. We want to take the Cup back in two years time. The young players who froze today will be much stronger and more experienced to face such a crowd,” added Yongbo.
“Anyway, I wish to congratulate the Koreans for their splendid win. They deserve to lift the Cup. They were the better team.”

UBER CUP UPDATE: WANG XIN BRINGS CHINA’S FIRST POINT TO PUT SCORE AT 2-1

KUALA LUMPUR (15 May 2010) - Wang Xin won the first point for China in the second singles when she beat Sung Ji Hyun in three sets to put the score at 2-1 to the advantage of South Korea.
The Koreans had taken the first two points in the Uber Cup finals through Bae Seung Hee in the first singles and then Lee Hyo Jung-Kim Min Jung in the first doubles.
And while there were thoughts of wrapping things up for South Korea’s first Uber Cup crown in the second singles, Wang Xin clearly had other ideas.
She won the first set 21-14 in 18 minutes before a lapse in the closing stages of the second set allowed Ji Hyun to steal to a 21-16 victory.
But the third set was all Wang Xin as she took the early lead before coasting to a 21-7 win in just under an hour.
With the score at 2-1, the second doubles will take to the court next with China’s Du Jing-Yu Yang taking on Lee Kyung Won-Ha Jung Eun.

THOMAS CUP UPDATE: CHINA WHITEWASH MALAYSIA TO TAKE ON INDONESIA IN FINAL

KUALA LUMPUR (14 May 2010) - China made it their fourth Thomas Cup final in a row when they whitewash hosts Malaysia 3-0 to set-up a final clash against Indonesia in two days.
Lin Dan overpowered world and Malaysia No. 1 Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 21-8 for the first point before the first Chinese doubles of Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng won the second point after beating Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong 21-15, 21-10.
Chen Jin, playing in the second singles, gave Malaysian veteran Wong Choong Hann no chance of a Malaysian fight back when he won the first set 21-16 in 24 minutes.
He then stepped on the gas in the second set with a convincing 21-7 win 17 minutes to wrap up the third and unassailable point for the Chinese.

THOMAS CUP UPDATE: CAI YUN-FU HAIFENG PUT CHINA 2-0 IN FRONT

KUALA LUMPUR (14 May 2010) - Cai Yun-Yu Haifeng put China 2-0 in front in the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup when they beat the Malaysian pair of Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong 21-15, 21-10.

Following Lin Dan’s win over Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei in the first singles earlier, the first Chinese pair had little difficulty against the world’s No. 1 when they wrapped up the first set in under 20 minutes before winning the point.

China will be looking to wrap things up with the second singles when Chen Jin face Malaysian veteran Wong Choong Han next.

THOMAS CUP UPDATE: LIN DAN BEATS CHONG WEI FOR CHINA’S FIRST POINT

KUALA LUMPUR (14 May 2010) - Lin Dan gave China their first point when he defeated Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals of the PROTON-BWF Thomas Cup at the Putra Stadium here tonight.

The Chinese Olympic champion capitalised on world No. 1 Chong Wei's mistakes and grabbed the first set 21-17.

Chong Wei tried to work his way back in the second set but Lin Dan was on a roll and never allowed his opponent any room. He won the set 21-8 in 48 minutes to give China the lead.

Thomas Cup : Cina Libas Korea 3-0

KUALALUMPUR - Dalam pertandingan perempatfinal Piala Thomas yang berlangsung hari ini, Korea tidak berdaya menghadapi kekuatan tim unggulan pertama, Cina dan menyerah langsung 0-3. Lin Dan yang tampil sebagai tunggal pertama berhasil mengalahkan Park Sung Hwan dengan skor 21-16 21-15. Ganda pertama Cina, Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng juga berhasil memetik kemenangan atas ganda Korea, Jung Jae Sung/Shin Baek Cheol 21-11 21-16 sekaligus membuat Cina unggul 2-0 atas Korea. Chen Jin berhasil memastikan langkah Cina ke semifinal setelah mengandaskan perlawanan Shon Wan Ho dalam straight-game 21-15 21-12.

Tim Thomas China Libas Peru 5-0

KUALA LUMPUR - Tim Thomas China seperti perkiraan sebelumnya berhasil menang mudah 5-0 atas Tim Thomas Peru dalam laga pertama Grup A-Thomas Cup yang diselenggarakan di Putra Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. Lin Dan mengawali kemenangan China atas Peru dengan menang mudah 21-4 21-6 atas Antonio De Vinatea. Chen Jin yang turun sebagai tunggal kedua juga berhasil melaksanakan tugasnya dengan baik dengan menang straight-game 21-9 21-8 atas Andres Corpancho. Di partai ketiga, Chen Long berhasil memastikan China menang atas Peru dengan menang atas Rodrigo Pacheco 21-11 21-8. Di partai keempat dan terakhir yang sudah tidak menentukan lagi bagi China, dua ganda putra terbaik China berhasil menang atas Peru sekaligus membukukan kemenangan atas Peru 5-0. Guo Zhendong/Xu Chen tanpa kesulitan yang berarti menang 21-6 21-6 atas Antonio De Vinatea/Martin Del Valle. Chai Biao/Zhang Nan yang bermain di partai terakhir juga berhasil membukukan kemenangan straight-game 21-12 21-8 atas Rodrigo Pacheco/Andres Corpancho. Dengan ini, China berhasil memuncaki klasemen sementara di Grup A-Thomas Cup tanpa kehilangan satu game-pun atas Peru.

China Paling Favorit

KUALA LUMPUR - Turnamen bulu tangkis Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 baru dilangsungkan hari ini. Tapi, sebagian besar pecinta tepok bulu di Malaysia sudah menjagokan China akan keluar sebagai pemenangnya.


Berdasarkan voting yang disurvei Harian Seputar Indonesia selama di Malaysia, China diunggulkan di tempat pertama setelah mengantongi 98 suara dari 161 orang yang dimintai pendapatnya tentang siapa berpeluang menjadi juara tahun ini. China berhak menempati tangga teratas setelah meraih presentase sebesar 60.87 persen.


Salah satu voter asal Malaysia Mohd Husain mengatakan, China layak diunggulkan melihat amunisi yang mereka bawa ke negaranya. Dia menilai China lebih mumpuni ketimbang Malaysia yang bertindak sebagai tuan rumah. “Saya bukan ingin merendahkan tim sendiri. Kenyataannya demikian jika China memiliki kekuatan lebih bagus ketimbang tim lainnya, tapi saya berharap Malaysia akan mampu membuat kejutan,” ujarnya.


Di posisi kedua ditempati Indonesia dengan jumlah 24 suara (14.91%) atau unggul satu suara dari Malaysia yang menempati unggulan ketiga dengan presentase 14.29 persen. Disusul Denmark di tempat keempat dengan 13 suara (8.07%) dan Korea Selatan (Korsel) dengan 3 suara (1.86%).


Hasil voting itu sejatinya sejalan dengan Federasi Bulu Tangkis Dunia (BWF) yang menempatkan China sebagai unggulan pertama di Piala Thomas tahun ini. Disusul Indonesia, Malaysia, Denmark, dan Korsel sebagai 'Kuda Hitam.'


Meski demikian, segala kemungkinan dapat saja terjadi di lapangan. Indonesia pun diharapkan akan mampu menepis anggapan jika Taufik Hidayat dkk sebenarnya berpeluang besar menjuarai turnamen tersebut. Dengan catatan mereka akan konsentrasi penuh dan jangan sekalipun menganggap remeh lawan yang akan dihadapi.

Tunggu Superioritas China

KUALA LUMPUR - Rintangan mudah bakal dilalui China di laga pertama Thomas Cup 2010. Unggulan pertama itu akan mencoba peruntungan wakil Benua Amerika Peru di lapangan ketiga Juara Stadium, Malaysia, Minggu (9/5/2010).


Di atas kertas, China diprediksi tak akan mengalami hambatan serius menghadapi Peru. Negeri Tiongkok itu kemungkinan akan memberi pelajaran berharga negara Amerika Latin itu yang baru pertama kali tampil di turnamen bulu tangkis beregu dua tahunan tersebut.


Pelatih Kepala Tim Thomas China Li Yongbo bertekad akan memaksimalkan setiap pertandingan yang akan dilalui pihaknya, termasuk menjalani laga pertama kontra Peru yang akan dijadikan tahap awal menggapai target gelar keempat beruntun sejak 2004.


“Kami memiliki kesempatan dan enggan menyiakannya. Pertama, kami menargetkan kemenangan atas Peru untuk membuka harapan kami menjadi juara Grup A. Kemenangan atas Peru diharapkan meningkatkan motivasi bertanding anak-anak ketika berjumpa Korea Selatan (korsel) di pertandingan selanjutnya,” tegas pelatih bertangan dingin tersebut.


China memang memiliki kualitas yang mampu mewujudkan harapan tersebut. Di segi pemain, mereka memiliki kualitas lebih kredibel ketimbang Peru maupun Korsel di Grup A. China memiliki pemain jempolan kelas dunia seperti Lin Dan, Chen Jin, dan Bao Chunlai di nomor tunggal putra. Sementara pasangan Xu Chen/Guo Zhendong dan Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng akan menjadi andalan China di nomor ganda putra.


Jadi, tak dipungkiri jika China akan mendominasi ketika bertemu Peru yang mengandalkan enam pebulu tangkis seperti Antonio De Vinatea, Andres Corpancho, Mario Cuba, Bruno Monteverde, Martin Del Valle, dan Rodrigo Pacheco.


Meski demikian, Li Yongbo tak lekas mengharapkan anak asuhnya terlalu over confident. Sebab, Peru dipastikan akan bermain lepas setelah menyadari akan kesulitan menghadapi timnya. “Mereka mungkin kalah kelas dari kami, tapi tak berarti anak-anak harus santai menghadapi mereka. Kami harus membuktikan ketajaman untuk menambah semangat memburu gelar tahun ini,” pungkas Li Yongbo.


Sementara Antonio De Vinatea tetap optimistis akan memberikan persaingan terhadap salah satu kandidat kuat peraih gelar Piala Thomas 2010. Dia pun siap menghadapi siapa pun lawan yang akan ditemuinya di nomor tunggal putra, termasuk Lin Dan yang kemungkinan bakal diturunkan.


“Tak ada kesan gentar menghadapi mereka. Justru, kesempatan ini akan kami jadikan pengalaman bertanding agar lebih kompetitif di laga berikutnya. Yang jelas, kami menunjukkan progress bagus telah berada di fase ini,” kata Antonio.


Sumber : OKEZONE.com

PREVIEW: CHINA HOT FAVOURITES TO RETAIN UBER CUP

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