In a closer final than expected, the Chinese Uber Cup team clinched their eighth Uber Cup title against a very good Korean team.

Of course everyone expected China to win their third straight Uber Cup crown with such an impressive line up. Yet their opponents Korea showed that China might have something to worry about in the future, as some youngsters from the Northern Asian peninsula were able to trouble the top players in the world. This was the case with Kim Kyeung Ran, Korea’s number one player, who is already 24 but who did not performed in high level competition until few months ago.

She and Zhou Mi (pictured here surprised by her opponent’s offensive strokes) had met only once previously, at the All England, when the Korean had taken one game before bowing to her opponent’s supremacy. This time, in front of a packed stadium, a very quiet and focussed Kim did much better than taking one game: she actually won the match against China’s number one. When Zhou was trailing two games down, the public felt something could happen and that the overall tie could depend on this first match. This is why the 8000 – possibly a best ever crowd record for a Uber Cup Final - spectators shouted louder than ever to support their favourite.

It helped Zhou get back into the match at two games all, but Kim took the lead in the final game until she reached match point at 6/3. One point was enough and the Korean (pictured) could hardly believe it, dropping her racket, and her face changed suddenly from a very concentrated look to a huge smile before she was surrounded by her teammates.

“We had hoped that both our doubles and maybe one single could get a victory to be able to trouble China tonight, and the fact that Kim won the first match against Zhou Mi was so unexpected that we started believing in our victory” said Korean team official Han Woo Goo

High level women’s doubles

The hopes on the Korean side were well funded as Ra Kyung Min and Lee Kyung Won, on court against Gao Ling and Huang Sui, had beaten the best two Chinese pairs not so long ago in the Japan The level of the game didn’t disappoint as both teams played very well in a tough but friendly battle between players who obviously are friends off court. And the clash on court was relayed off court when two young boys ran around the Hall carrying a big Chinese flag, followed by a little Korean one, somehow symbolizing Korea’s fight against adversity and their giant neighbour.

The Chinese played tactically, very cleverly, putting a lot of pressure on Lee, the less experienced of the four players, and the 22 years old was a little overwhelmed by the speed at the beginning, which allowed Gao and Huang to take the first and third games. In the fourth, Lee came back with some incredible defences, as well as some smart cross net play by Ra, to close up to 2 games all. And suddenly, the Chinese changed their tactics, blowing their attacks on Ra, who was surprised and took few points to get adjusted. Too long for such a short game, and the Chinese were already in each other’s arms, celebrating their team’s first point, in a final 7/4 – 2/7 – 7/1 – 5/7 – 7/1.

Gong, Yang and Huang finish it off

World Champion Gong Ruina was facing another girl she had never played before: Kwon Hee Sook is fairly new to international competition. “As a matter of fact, she had played only one match in the Koreanbefore this event, for which we have made a passport especially as it was her first travel outside Korea,” said Han. “But she played so well these past few days that we decided to field her in the second singles.” And she did more than just bring back the shuttle on court: she troubled Ruina, winning the third game, but eventually losing 3/7 – 4/7 – 7/5 – 7/3 to Gong (pictured) who somehow made up for her partner’s loss in the first singles.

Dai Yun didn’t get to play her third and last singles, as her compatriots Yang and Huang made it 3/1 in the overall tie. Brilliantly, the Chinese girls left no time for the Koreans to breathe, very quickly taking control of the net, always active, bouncing everywhere, and obviously enjoying themselves on court – something they share with Gao Ling and Huang Sui. In half the time of the previous match – 23 minutes exactly - the second women’s doubles wrapped it up for China, 7/0 – 7/2 – 7/3.

The numerous photographers could then throw themselves at the feet of the podium to get a glimpse at this magical instant of joy. All girls were delighted – Gong could hardly hold her tears during the Chinese National anthem - getting back to celebrate with their friends. Former world top player Ye Zhaoying was there to congratulate her compatriots alongside with Chinese officials.

At the post-match press conference, Li Yongbo’s comments on the tie were obviously not meant to be echoed by the international press as he expressly asked the translator to make it short to concentrate on the local medias’ questions. This engendered a common problem faced by non-Chinese media, who explained in vain that the host team’s splendid performance throughout the two weeks deserved a better echo outside of China borders.

Nevertheless and once again, the Chinese Uber Cup team has proven that they were on top of the world, in spite of a good resistance from Korea.

report and pictures by Raphael Sachetat