Kaloyana Nalbantova was six when she took up badminton. When the Bulgarian was a year into the sport Ratchanok Intanon won the BWF World Championships 2013. The Thai would inspire legions of fans; Nalbantova among them.

On Friday the Bulgarian had the opportunity of facing Intanon in the opening match of their Uber Cup Group D tie. Thailand would eventually win 3-2, but Nalbantova’s opening salvo, in which she beat her idol after saving three match points, meant bright times ahead for Bulgarian badminton.

The match was every bit the stuff that childhood fantasies are made of. Playing her first Uber Cup, against a heavy favourite ranked 42 places above her. It couldn’t have got any more surreal for the world No.49.

It was Nalbantova’s biggest win of her young career, following not long after she’d helped her country win their first-ever European Women’s Team Championships crown.

“First of all, Ratchanok is one of my favourite players, so it means a lot to me. I’ve been watching her since I was really small, the last 13 years. For me it means a lot – watching her, and now beating her, and facing her in this big event, and playing for Bulgaria, it’s huge for me.

“I was prepared mentally that it’s going to be hard. In the beginning it was tough for me to catch her speed and also adapt to the hall, and to her style,” said the 20-year-old.

“It’s my first meeting against her; she’s one of the players that I’ve been watching since I was a small kid. I was six years old when I started, I’m 20 now, and this victory means a lot, it means I’m ready to fight every top player.”

Denmark Overcome Korea

Denmark were expected to be in for a difficult time against Korea in Thomas Cup Group C, but the hosts swept past them in the first three matches. While Korea’s two singles players – Yoo Tae Bin and Choi Ji Hoon – both fought all the way against higher-ranked opponents, Korea’s split of their top partnership didn’t work in their favour. Kim Won Ho partnered Ki Dong Ju and the result was a straight games defeat to Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard.

Yoo Tae Binn had troubled Anders Antonsen in the opening match, falling 11-21 21-17 21-15 before Denmark’s doubles duo made it 2-0. Magnus Johannesen clinched the tie holding off a battling Choi Ji Hoon, 21-12 17-21 21-15.

Other Highlights:

» The Danish men’s team victory came shortly after the women had prevailed over India in a thriller, 3-2, with three of the matches going the distance. The critical point for Denmark was the first doubles, with Amalie Kudsk/Mette Werge saving two match points to beat Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra 21-17 11-21 23-21.

» In Thomas Cup Group D, France, expected to be among the podium contenders, had a disappointing start losing to Thailand 4-1. Kunlavut Vitidsarn gave Thailand the perfect start beating Christo Popov – his first win in five matches.

» Group A saw India hold off dangerous challengers Canada 4-1 after recovering from the opening blow of Victor Lai beating Lakshya Sen.

What They Said

“The shuttle was very fast, I always had to cover the net and keep the pressure. If I don’t play fast I cannot control the game. He’s got a crazy style, very fast and very strong, he has many skills, and his attack and defence are very nice.” – Kunlavut Vitidsarn

“I played pretty good. Going up against him (Li Shi Feng) was a dream come true. He’s one of the players I look up to. I had a great game, but he was not at his best. I had to take the net because his attack is lethal. When I led in the third, a win was at the back of my mind, my body was also getting tired. Maybe that distracted me a bit.” – Australia’s Shrey Dhand, on stretching Li Shi Feng

“This is my first time playing first singles, so it was pretty exciting and also nervous. The All England was a good lesson, it taught me Lakshya’s a fighter, no easy points. At the All England I played too slow and he capitalised, so I upped the tempo today  and it worked pretty well.” – Victor Lai, on beating Lakshya Sen

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