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AARHUS (Denmark): China wrested the Uber Cup from Japan after defeating the defending champions 3-1 in the final at the Ceres Arena this morning.
The win also helped China lift the trophy for a record 15th time, after having won nine times between 1998 and 2016.
Japan, who had been aiming for their seventh Uber Cup, started well when world No 5 Akane Yamaguchi beat Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei 21-18, 21-10.
However, China’s women’s doubles Olympic gold medallists, Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan ensured the match stayed within their grip by defeating Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto 29-27, 15-21, 21-18 in an epic battle that lasted close to two hours.
China, the most successful nation in the women’s team championship, then took the lead when world No 9 He Bing Jiao ousted Sayaka Takahashi in straight games, winning 21-9, 21-18.
Huang Dong Ping-Li Wen Mei then clinched China’s winning point in the next doubles match, defeating Misaki Matsutomo-Nami Matsuyama 24-22, 23-21 in a close fight.
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