German Scare for Japan – Day 3 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Germany had Japan in their sights but failed to pull the trigger as they went down fighting in a men’s Group C tie at the TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2018 today.

Japan were in deep trouble from the second match onwards after Kenta Momota had put them ahead. Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Emil Seidel crackled with energy against Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda, keeping the Japanese under pressure all through with sharp service returns and ceaseless attack. And when Kamura blew a kill to give the Germans the match at 21-15 13-21 21-19, Germany sensed their opportunity for the upset.

“It was an intense match,” said Seidel (featured image; right). “On Sunday we didn’t feel so good on court, we wanted to change that and we’re happy we did. Obviously there was a bit of nervousness when we missed a match point – it will happen if you want to win. Ours is a very tough group, but then you also get good matches. Any group would have been difficult. We had to make the best of the situation.”

Kai Schaeffer, ranked No.96 to Kenta Nishimoto’s No.14, was oblivious to the gulf in rankings and continued from where his compatriots had left off. The German’s speed and aggression caught Nishimoto by surprise in the first two games, before he recovered in the third, 21-18 8-21 21-8.

Jones Ralfy Jansen and Josche Zurwonne nearly made it 2-2 for Germany. Playing uninhibitedly and using their steep shots to good effect against Hiroyuki Endo/Yuta Watanabe, the Germans had three match points in the second game. The Japanese dug themselves out of the hole, and completed a close win in the third, 16-21 23-21 21-18, to take Japan to safety.

“We played very well,” said Jansen. “We just made some mistakes on service returns and that was a pity. We were inspired by the first doubles, we also played a great second singles. If we’d made it 2-2, we knew we had our chances in third singles. At least we challenged Japan today, they were really struggling. It’s sad that we couldn’t bring it home.”

In Group D, defending champions Denmark continued to sail comfortably, as they crushed Russia 5-0 without the loss of a game.

Viktor Axelsen blew away Vladimir Malkov 21-14 21-3, and Mads Conrad-Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding made it 2-0 beating Vladimir Ivanov/Ivan Sozonov 21-17 21-12.

Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Jan O Jorgensen also gave nothing away, finishing their assignments in under 35 minutes each.

“I was pretty relaxed and trying to get used to the conditions,” said Vittinghus. “I struggled in the beginning but coped with the conditions after the break in the first game. To come in as defending champions… it’s a great feeling. We don’t feel extra pressure, on the contrary we feel extra belief that we can do it because we already proved two years ago that it’s possible for us. We just have a strong belief that we can do it once again. We’re missing Carsten (Mogensen), but our singles is stronger this time. Our doubles has grown since Kunshan. It was the best time of my career, back then, when I watch it on video, I remember it with good feelings. It was not just the final or semi-finals, it was the entire week, and doing something historic for Danish badminton. So I want to cherish that forever, but also want to create new history this time.”

In Uber Cup Group D, China and Indonesia completed their second victories in the group to assure themselves of quarter-final places.

China had some anxious moments against Malaysia in a 4-1 result, with Soniia Cheah stretching Chen Yufei in the opening match and Goh Jin Wei making it 1-2 for Malaysia in the third match.

Still, China’s second doubles (Huang Dongping/Yu Zheng) and third singles (Gao Fangjie) weren’t in any mood to cede control, ensuring that China had no further trouble.

Indonesia too gave no quarter to France with a 5-0 result. The only positive for the French was the performance of their second doubles pair Delphine Delrue/Lea Palermo, who had their chances of winning their match against scratch pair Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Apriyani Rahayu, but went down 16-21 21-19 21-19.

Click here for results

Thomas & Uber Cup News

China’s Young Heroes – Thomas Cup Review

China’s Young Heroes – Thomas Cup Review

13 June 2018
Japan Stamp Supremacy – Uber Cup Review

Japan Stamp Supremacy – Uber Cup Review

8 June 2018
Title No.10 for China – Thomas Cup Final: TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2018

Title No.10 for China – Thomas Cup Final: TOTAL BWF Thomas &...

27 May 2018
Women of the Rising ‘Stun’! – Uber Cup Final: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Women of the Rising ‘Stun’! – Uber Cup Final: TOTAL BWF TUC...

26 May 2018
‘Tongue-Twisters’ Torment Titlists – Thomas Cup Semi-Finals: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

‘Tongue-Twisters’ Torment Titlists – Thomas Cup Semi-Finals: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

25 May 2018
‘Uber’ Achievers! – Uber Cup Semi-finals: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

‘Uber’ Achievers! – Uber Cup Semi-finals: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

25 May 2018
Denmark, Japan into Semis – Day 5 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Denmark, Japan into Semis – Day 5 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF...

24 May 2018
Emotional Win for Thailand – Day 5 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Emotional Win for Thailand – Day 5 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF...

24 May 2018
China, Korea Overcome Jitters – Day 5 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

China, Korea Overcome Jitters – Day 5 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF...

24 May 2018
Jorgensen Delivers – Day 4 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Jorgensen Delivers – Day 4 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals...

23 May 2018
Canada Through to Quarters – Day 4 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Canada Through to Quarters – Day 4 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF...

23 May 2018
China Hold Firm – Day 4 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2018

China Hold Firm – Day 4 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF Thomas...

23 May 2018
Resilient Indonesia – Day 3 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Resilient Indonesia – Day 3 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals...

22 May 2018
Schoolgirl to the Rescue – Day 3 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Schoolgirl to the Rescue – Day 3 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF...

22 May 2018
China, Thailand Look Ahead – Day 2 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

China, Thailand Look Ahead – Day 2 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF...

21 May 2018
Indonesia Pass Malaysian Test – Day 2 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Indonesia Pass Malaysian Test – Day 2 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF...

21 May 2018
Debutants Relishing Experience – Day 2 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Debutants Relishing Experience – Day 2 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF TUC...

21 May 2018
Korea Prevails – Day 1 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Korea Prevails – Day 1 – Session 3: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals...

20 May 2018
Japan Start Strong – Day 1 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Japan Start Strong – Day 1 – Session 2: TOTAL BWF TUC...

20 May 2018
Corvee Stars in French Victory – Day 1 – Session 1: TOTAL BWF TUC Finals 2018

Corvee Stars in French Victory – Day 1 – Session 1: TOTAL...

20 May 2018
Banking on Home Support – TUC Finals 2018

Banking on Home Support – TUC Finals 2018

19 May 2018
Defending Champions Confident Despite Setbacks – TUC Finals 2018

Defending Champions Confident Despite Setbacks – TUC Finals 2018

19 May 2018
Honour for Fernandez, Sornprachum and Klutzke

Honour for Fernandez, Sornprachum and Klutzke

19 May 2018
Strong Danish Line-up – Preview: Thomas Cup Squads

Strong Danish Line-up – Preview: Thomas Cup Squads

11 May 2018
Li Xuerui Returns – Preview: Uber Cup Squads

Li Xuerui Returns – Preview: Uber Cup Squads

9 May 2018
Bangkok Beckons!

Bangkok Beckons!

2 May 2018
Indonesia, Japan Start ‘Thomas-Uber’ Action

Indonesia, Japan Start ‘Thomas-Uber’ Action

12 April 2018
Japan in ‘Group of Death’

Japan in ‘Group of Death’

22 March 2018
Hong Kong, France Qualify for TUC 2018

Hong Kong, France Qualify for TUC 2018

20 March 2018
Fitness, Equipment in Focus at World Congress

Fitness, Equipment in Focus at World Congress

4 March 2018
Algeria to Debut in Thomas Cup

Algeria to Debut in Thomas Cup

26 February 2018
Canadian Supremacy – Finals: M&F Pan Am Team Championships 2018

Canadian Supremacy – Finals: M&F Pan Am Team Championships 2018

19 February 2018
Denmark’s Reign Continues – Finals: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships

Denmark’s Reign Continues – Finals: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships

19 February 2018
Peru Go Down Fighting – Day 3: M&F Pan Am Team Continental Championships 2018

Peru Go Down Fighting – Day 3: M&F Pan Am Team Continental...

18 February 2018
Germany in Title Bout – Day 5: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships

Germany in Title Bout – Day 5: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s...

18 February 2018
Jamaica, Peru in Semis – Day 2: M&F Pan Am Continental Team Championships 2018

Jamaica, Peru in Semis – Day 2: M&F Pan Am Continental Team...

17 February 2018
Spain Survive Turkish Challenge – Day 4: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships

Spain Survive Turkish Challenge – Day 4: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s...

16 February 2018
Algeria Make History – Finals: All Africa Men’s & Women’s Team Championships 2018

Algeria Make History – Finals: All Africa Men’s & Women’s Team Championships...

16 February 2018
Tight Wins for Nigeria, Mauritius – Semi-finals: All Africa Men’s & Women’s Team Championships 2018

Tight Wins for Nigeria, Mauritius – Semi-finals: All Africa Men’s & Women’s...

15 February 2018
Poland Ease Past Portugal – Day 2: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships

Poland Ease Past Portugal – Day 2: 2018 European Men’s & Women’s...

15 February 2018
Indonesia, Japan Triumph – Finals: E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships 2018

Indonesia, Japan Triumph – Finals: E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships 2018

12 February 2018
Kholik Stars in Indonesia’s Win – Semi-finals: E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships 2018

Kholik Stars in Indonesia’s Win – Semi-finals: E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships...

10 February 2018
Chinese Taipei Outplay Thailand – Day 2: E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships 2018

Chinese Taipei Outplay Thailand – Day 2: E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships...

8 February 2018
Australia Prevail in Thriller – Victor Oceania Team Championships 2018

Australia Prevail in Thriller – Victor Oceania Team Championships 2018

7 February 2018
Close Win For Thailand – Day 1: E-Plus Badminton Asia Championships 2018

Close Win For Thailand – Day 1: E-Plus Badminton Asia Championships 2018

7 February 2018
Continental Joust for TUC Qualification

Continental Joust for TUC Qualification

2 February 2018
PARTNERS
Title Sponsor
Image alt