China open defence of Uber and Thomas Cups in style

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2006

SENDAI, Japan (AFP) — World number one Zhang Ning led China's heavily fancied women shuttlers to a 5-0 win over the United States in a stylish opening of their defence of the Uber Cup team badminton title.

Athens Olympic gold medallist Zhang barely broke into a sweat to beat Eva Lee 21-5, 21-10 in the opener on Friday, followed by a lopsided 21-3, 21-4 victory by Du Jing and Yu Yang over Jennifer Coleman and Lauren Todt.

World champion Xie Xingfang was an easy 21-9, 21-5 winner over Jamie Subandhi, while world number one duo Gao Ling and Huang Sui whipped Eva Lee and Mesinee Mangkalakiri 21-3, 21-7.

Up-and-coming Lu Lan completed a whitewash by beating Rulien Yeh 21-6, 21-4.

"I played my 100 percent today," said Zhang. "This is the biggest team...