China sweeps Thomas and Uber Cup titles with wins over Indonesia
China secured a Thomas and Uber Cup double on Sunday, with both their men’s and women’s teams defeating Indonesia to claim victory in their respective world team championship finals held in Chengdu.
The men’s team, securing a 3-1 victory, clinched China’s first Thomas Cup title since their triumph over Japan in 2018, marking their 11th overall win. However, it was another disappointment for Indonesia, who are 14-time winners, as they suffered their second consecutive defeat in the final, following their loss to India two years ago in Bangkok.
In the women’s competition, Indonesia was unable to stop a dominant China, who secured a flawless victory to claim the Uber Cup for an unprecedented 16th time with a 3-0 win. Following China, Japan stands as the next most successful women’s nation in the competition, having claimed the title six times.
He Bingjiao’s triumph over Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, with scores of 10-21, 21-15, 21-17, sealed a flawless 24-0 tournament match record for China’s women’s team. China reclaimed the title they had lost to South Korea two years prior in Thailand.
In the evening session, world number two Shi Yuqi propelled China’s men’s team to a strong start by decisively defeating seventh-ranked Anthony Ginting 21-17, 21-6 in an impressive display lasting 43 minutes. The crucial turning point occurred during the first doubles match, where Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang clinched a hard-fought victory against Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, prevailing 21-18, 17-21, 21-17 in an exhilarating 64-minute encounter.
The Chinese duo staged multiple comebacks after falling behind, rallying from a 10-4 deficit in the opening game, a 6-3 deficit in the second, and an 8-4 deficit in the third, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination. World number three Jonatan Christie provided a glimmer of hope for Indonesia with a hard-fought victory over sixth-ranked Li Shifeng, prevailing 21-16, 15-21, 21-17 in a thrilling 1 hour and 17 minutes of back-and-forth action, thereby prolonging the final.
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However, Indonesia’s hopes were dashed as He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu dominated the second doubles match, securing a convincing 21-11, 21-15 victory in just 37 minutes over Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana, thus clinching the trophy. Previously, the underdog Indonesian women’s team’s faint hopes relied on Gregoria Mariska Tunjung making a breakthrough in the opening singles match against Chen Yufei.
Chen never relinquished control of the match, securing a comprehensive 21-7, 21-16 victory over her opponent in just 38 minutes. “I didn’t feel that comfortable although I have played such matches before,” she said post-match. “I still feel stressed, and maybe my opponent was. I always feel pressured in finals.
“I have lost to her before. What I did was watch a lot of matches that I’d lost to her. It’s not going to help if I only watch matches that I won.”
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan dominated the doubles match, leaving Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Ribka Sugiarto with no chance in a 39-minute demolition. “The scariest thing is when people think you should win,” said Qingchen.
“Things become different when you assume you can win. The only thing we need to do is prepare and be humble.”
Their comfortable 21-11, 21-8 victory paved the way for He to secure the Cup-winning victory in the second singles match. “During the last three years we experienced failures, and I’m happy that we could regain the title,” said He.