UBER CUP 2014 Day 4 – England’s first in 30 years

Two-time Uber Cup runners-up England made it into their first quarter-final in 30 years by defeating Russia 4-1. Meanwhile, Korea, Japan and China made an appointment to only see each other after the quarter-finals as they rose to the top spot of Groups X, Z and W by beating Indonesia, Denmark and Chinese Taipei respectively.

By Ooi Ee Lyn, Badzine Correspondent. Photo: Badmintonphoto (live)

England were runners-up at the Uber Cup championships in 1963 and 1984 but they have never managed to sneak into the quarter-final round since then. Their hope for a breakthrough in New Delhi began to shine when they upset Chinese Taipei – whose main gun Tai Tzu Ying was injured and kept on the bench – on the very first day of the group stage. With Russia’s loss to Chinese Taipei and China, England’s chance to show up in the quarter-finals was open under the condition that the English team finish off victorious against Russia.

Chinese Taipei, who surrendered to China 0-5, could have had a shot at entering the quarter-finals instead, had England allowed the Russian team to win the tie, but the hopeful English squad never let their golden opportunity of advancing past the group stage after 30 long years slip.

Fontaine Mica Chapman (pictured left) again led the team by earning the first point, beating Natalia Perminova in straight games. Despite Sarah Walker’s loss to Russia’s second singles player Ksenia Polikarpova (pictured right) half an hour later, the remaining competitors for England went on to shut the doors on Russia by taking the three following points to wrap the tie with their victory of 4-1 against Russia.

Rising up to the same level as India who topped Group Y after beating Thailand yesterday are Japan, 2010 champions Korea, and defending champions China. Indonesia and Denmark joins England and Thailand on the second line of their respective groups while they wait for their fate in the quarter-finals to be revealed at the draw ceremony tonight.

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