Nearly There, But Not Quite

Rising stars Brian Yang and Line Christophersen briefly outshone more established rivals before status quo prevailed at the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2020.

Yang and Christophersen are reckoned to be among those to watch from the post-2000 generation, and they had their moments — Yang against Lee Zii Jia (Thomas Cup Group D), and Christophersen against He Bing Jiao (Uber Cup Group D). Both Lee Zii Jia and He Bing Jiao had to step up a gear to avert upsets and lead Malaysia and China to comfortable wins over Canada and Denmark respectively.

Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.

Lee was unsettled by Yang’s sharpness and held-back shots; the Canadian had an easy grace and choice of shots that helped him control the exchanges through most of the opening game. With Lee given few opportunities to unleash his attacking game, the Malaysian had to scramble, and he was often down on all fours as he fought to keep the rallies going, with his rival sending the shuttle to all corners. There were a couple of breathtaking net shots, but once Lee edged Yang in the opening game, the going got easier, for Lee was playing from the faster end where his attack had more bite.

Lee acknowledged that he’d had a hard day, particularly with all the fan expectations around him taking on a rapidly-improving opponent.

“The main thing was about trying to handle the pressure because Brian has upset quite a few top players and everyone was looking at whether he would upset me today. I had to be stronger than him. I just tried to play more rallies, especially in the second game where he made a lot of mistakes in the rallies.

“He’s quite an allround player. I’m looking forward to seeing how he will perform in future.”

Despite the entertaining show, Yang was hard on himself.

“Overall, I wasn’t satisfied with how I played. I was able to see the difference between him and me and that’s what’s important.

“In the second game I was playing against the drift so my shots were slower and he was cruising on the defence and I wasn’t able to hit through him, and that pushed me to become impatient and hit the lines and I kept missing the lines.”

Line Christophersen, Denmark’s women’s singles hope.

On an adjacent court, Line Christophersen had raised expectations among home fans of an upset with her strong start against He Bing Jiao, using her tall, strong frame to land heavy blows.

“I was leading but she was stubborn and fought hard,” said He Bing Jiao.

The Chinese had sufficient experience to work her way out of the setback, taking the match in three games.

“She’s tall and strong and a junior European champion, anyone who can win that title can go far,” said the world No.9.

As for Christophersen, the 21-year-old sought to take positives from her show.

“Of course I’m disappointed, I think it was a good match. I’m happy with the first game, but disappointed at the end that I made too many mistakes. I just think I had to play the rallies to the end instead of trying to end it with the first chance I got.”

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
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
Best Friends Take Denmark Home

Best Friends Take Denmark Home

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