Best Friends Take Denmark Home

It doesn’t get better than seeing your country safely through a sticky tie on home ground in the company of your best friend.

For Amalie Magelund and Freja Ravn, who sealed Denmark’s Uber Cup Group D tie over Malaysia, the trust they have in each other as childhood friends and doubles partners has given them the edge in their rise to becoming their country’s No.2 pair.

The two 21-year-olds got together some ten years ago and have remained doubles partners since then, and are currently world No.25. On the opening day of the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2020, with an energetic crowd urging them on, they beat Teoh Mei Xing and Yap Ling to hand Denmark the vital third point in their tie, thereby taking a big step towards making the quarterfinals.

“It was pretty intense and we were very nervous at the end. I don’t know what went through our heads, we were just fighting all the time. It was not very tactical, but the audience helped us,” said Ravn.

The Malaysians, who too were playing a major event for the first time, gave a good account of their abilities and had their chances to take the second game, before the Danes turned it around at the end.

“It’s amazing, the crowd was cheering for us, and we could hear them all the time, and I also think that’s why we won the second game, it was very close and it wasn’t that pretty in there. But we kept fighting, we knew that we couldn’t disappoint the crowd and the team, and they really meant a lot to us in there,” added Magelund. “We’re very happy to win this match, also because it was close, so it meant a lot more to us.”

Magelund and Ravn are among Denmark’s young generation of players tasting major event competition such as the Uber Cup for the first time. The two believe it is their relationship outside the court that has helped them get this far so quickly.

“We’ve played together for 10 years, from junior to senior days. We’ve always been together. We’re really good friends off the court also, so we can talk to each other about everything and if we’re stressed on court we can tell each other and we try to help each other as much as we can,” says Magelund.

Teoh Mei Xing (left) and Yap Ling.

Ravn claims they can “read each other’s thoughts”, helping them instinctively combine on court.

“Knowing each other so well, we know how to get into each other’s thoughts. Sometimes it can be hard with new partners in the club, because you don’t know the other person that much. I think it’s a huge part of our game, that we know each other so well.”

For Malaysia, despite losing 1-4, there would have been encouragement in the performances of their young squad. Twenty-year-old Eoon Qi Xuan, ranked No.123 to Line Christophersen’s No.23, beat the Dane in three games to hand a point to Malaysia.

Avihingsanon Saves the Day for Thailand

Suppanyu Avihingsanon won the tie for Thailand over Chinese Taipei.

The most significant result in the morning session was Thailand’s 3-2 win over Chinese Taipei in Group A of the Thomas Cup. With Group A being the Group of Death, Thailand’s did themselves a big favour by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Suppanyu Avihingsanon was the hero of Thailand’s win, overcoming two match points in the second game to turn the tables on Chi Yu Jen, 11-21 25-23 21-12, handing Thailand the third point after both teams were even at two wins.

“I couldn’t keep up with his speed in the opening game,” said Avihingsanon. “I tried to get him to play my game, and he slowed down a bit. In my career, I have played third singles many times and I can handle the pressure.”

Click here for match centre  

 

Thomas & Uber Cup News

2021 in Review: Indonesia’s Gritty Thomas Cup Triumph

2021 in Review: Indonesia’s Gritty Thomas Cup Triumph

29 December 2021
2021 in Review: Newcomers Tahiti Add Freshness, Colour

2021 in Review: Newcomers Tahiti Add Freshness, Colour

28 December 2021
Hats Off to Indonesia, Says Kenneth Jonassen

Hats Off to Indonesia, Says Kenneth Jonassen

20 October 2021
‘This Is For My Big Brother’

‘This Is For My Big Brother’

19 October 2021
Indonesia’s 19-Year Wait for Thomas Cup Ends

Indonesia’s 19-Year Wait for Thomas Cup Ends

18 October 2021
Chen and Jia Inspire Magnificent Chinese Triumph

Chen and Jia Inspire Magnificent Chinese Triumph

17 October 2021
Indonesia Ride Jonatan Christie Wave

Indonesia Ride Jonatan Christie Wave

17 October 2021
Japan, China in Uber Cup Final

Japan, China in Uber Cup Final

16 October 2021
Proved a Point, Says Heo After Second Takedown of Momota

Proved a Point, Says Heo After Second Takedown of Momota

15 October 2021
With Another Epic Example, Polii Hands Over Baton

With Another Epic Example, Polii Hands Over Baton

15 October 2021
Remi Rossi and the Value of a Win for Tahiti

Remi Rossi and the Value of a Win for Tahiti

14 October 2021
Indonesia, Thailand Survive Group of Death

Indonesia, Thailand Survive Group of Death

13 October 2021
Nearly There, But Not Quite

Nearly There, But Not Quite

13 October 2021
Battle-Hardened Veteran Revels in Familiar Role

Battle-Hardened Veteran Revels in Familiar Role

12 October 2021
Wangcharoen Strikes Early but Indonesia Prevail

Wangcharoen Strikes Early but Indonesia Prevail

12 October 2021
Camilla Martin Wonders – ‘How Did I Do It?’

Camilla Martin Wonders – ‘How Did I Do It?’

11 October 2021
Training Stint With Gade Aids Brian Yang’s Rapid Rise

Training Stint With Gade Aids Brian Yang’s Rapid Rise

11 October 2021
On Injury-Hit Day, Michelle Li Takes a Stance for Self-Care

On Injury-Hit Day, Michelle Li Takes a Stance for Self-Care

10 October 2021
‘I’ve Grown to Become a Mature Player’: Lee Zii Jia

‘I’ve Grown to Become a Mature Player’: Lee Zii Jia

10 October 2021
‘Dream Coming True, Playing Thomas Cup on Danish Soil’

‘Dream Coming True, Playing Thomas Cup on Danish Soil’

9 October 2021
Group D Preview: China Have the Depth to Retake Uber Cup

Group D Preview: China Have the Depth to Retake Uber Cup

9 October 2021
Group C Preview: For Korea, Kim Gaeun’s Form Will Be Key

Group C Preview: For Korea, Kim Gaeun’s Form Will Be Key

8 October 2021
The Thomas Cup Story, as Recalled by an Icon

The Thomas Cup Story, as Recalled by an Icon

7 October 2021
Injury-Hit England Withdraw From Thomas Cup

Injury-Hit England Withdraw From Thomas Cup

6 October 2021
Group A Preview: Indonesia, Chinese Taipei Will Be Wary of Thailand

Group A Preview: Indonesia, Chinese Taipei Will Be Wary of Thailand

6 October 2021
China Feature in Opening Uber Cup Tie

China Feature in Opening Uber Cup Tie

30 August 2021
Hosts Denmark in Challenging Group

Hosts Denmark in Challenging Group

18 August 2021
TUC 2020 Postponed; Denmark Open to Proceed

TUC 2020 Postponed; Denmark Open to Proceed

15 September 2020
Update on TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020

Update on TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020

12 September 2020
Herbert Scheele’s Thomas Cup Story

Herbert Scheele’s Thomas Cup Story

3 September 2020
BWF Ready for the Return to International Badminton

BWF Ready for the Return to International Badminton

28 August 2020
BWF Announces Adjusted Tournament Calendar for 2020

BWF Announces Adjusted Tournament Calendar for 2020

27 August 2020
TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2020 Draw

TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2020 Draw

3 August 2020
On This Day: China Lift Thomas Cup at First Time of Asking

On This Day: China Lift Thomas Cup at First Time of Asking

21 May 2020
Flashback: TUC 2018 – China’s Young Guns Come Good

Flashback: TUC 2018 – China’s Young Guns Come Good

21 May 2020
Flashback: TUC 2018 – Japan’s Well-Earned Triumph

Flashback: TUC 2018 – Japan’s Well-Earned Triumph

18 May 2020
New Dates for TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Finals 2020

New Dates for TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Finals 2020

29 April 2020
Update on TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020

Update on TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020

7 April 2020
Conrad-Petersen to Bid Adieu After Thomas Cup

Conrad-Petersen to Bid Adieu After Thomas Cup

27 March 2020
TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020 Postponed

TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020 Postponed

20 March 2020
On This Day: USA Ace First Ever Uber Cup Final

On This Day: USA Ace First Ever Uber Cup Final

18 March 2020
French Stint Aids Honderich & Tsai

French Stint Aids Honderich & Tsai

5 March 2020
Indonesia, Japan Top-Seeded for TUC

Indonesia, Japan Top-Seeded for TUC

4 March 2020
Russia’s TUC Withdrawal Opens Door for Germany, Spain

Russia’s TUC Withdrawal Opens Door for Germany, Spain

2 March 2020
Qi Xuefei Inspired by ‘Role Model’ Pi Hongyan

Qi Xuefei Inspired by ‘Role Model’ Pi Hongyan

29 February 2020
On This Day: Underdogs Malaya Become Inaugural Thomas Cup Champs

On This Day: Underdogs Malaya Become Inaugural Thomas Cup Champs

26 February 2020
Flashback: Unfancied Mexicans Defy Expectations, Qualify for First Thomas Cup

Flashback: Unfancied Mexicans Defy Expectations, Qualify for First Thomas Cup

23 February 2020
TUC 2020 Lineup is Complete!

TUC 2020 Lineup is Complete!

20 February 2020
Flawless Denmark Issue Rivals Stark Warning

Flawless Denmark Issue Rivals Stark Warning

17 February 2020
On This Day: Betty Uber Wins 50th Straight International

On This Day: Betty Uber Wins 50th Straight International

14 February 2020
Update on Badminton Asia Team Championships 2020

Update on Badminton Asia Team Championships 2020

11 February 2020
Aarhus Awaits the World

Aarhus Awaits the World

6 February 2020
The Legacy of Frank Peard, First Thomas Cupper

The Legacy of Frank Peard, First Thomas Cupper

7 October 2019
Flashback: Vittinghus Heroics Win Thomas Cup for Denmark

Flashback: Vittinghus Heroics Win Thomas Cup for Denmark

5 September 2019
Generational Shift Will Be Visible in Aarhus

Generational Shift Will Be Visible in Aarhus

6 August 2019
PARTNERS