The People’s Republic of China regained their status as the top badminton nation in the world winning the men’s and women’s titles at the 2024 BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu on Sunday (5 May).
The hosts overcame Indonesia in the finals marking the first time since 2012 that China won both the men’s and women’s titles at the world team championships.
In the Thomas Cup, the Chinese denied Indonesia – the most successful nation in the history of the tournament – their 15th title to capture their 11th in the process.
World number two Shi Yuqi set the pace for China beating Anthony Ginting in straight games (21-17, 21-6) in the opening rubber. The first men’s doubles match was an intense affair with the momentum swinging back and forth between China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang and Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
Weikeng and Wang narrowly won the first game 21-18 fighting their way back from 4-10 down. The Indonesian pair claimed the second (21-17) to enforce the deciding third game where they cruised along taking an early 8-4 lead.
An unforced error proved costly as they allowed the Chinese back into the contest which ultimately led them to take the lead for only the second time in the game at 18-17. Lian and Wang had a run of five straight points to win the game and the match.
Top shuttler Jonathan Christie gave Indonesia a glimmer of hope to keep their Thomas Cup title hopes alive after overcoming a spirited Li Shi Feng in the second singles match.
Christie made a strong start to the clash winning the opening game 21-16 before Li found his groove in the second and came close to winning the deciding third game. The Indonesian ace squandered an early 6-2 advantage in the second only to see Li go six points up. Li held on to the advantage to level the scores.
Christie, the reigning All England Open men’s singles champion, had a slight edge over his Chinese counterpart moving six points clear late in the game. Li again showed his never-say-die attitude to get back within two.
But Christie prevailed to clinch the game and give Indonesia a fighting chance heading into the second doubles match.
He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu delivered a masterclass in the doubles match with a resounding 21-11, 21-15 win over Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana to secure the Thomas Cup crown.
2024-05-05 14:46:00
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