Hosts Denmark secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup in Horsens but were given a shock in the opening singles by European rivals Ukraine.
The 4–1 victory over Ukraine this evening, combined with powerhouse China’s defeat of India ensured the Danish side the last eight berth.
But it was not the start they anticipated against Ukraine with their top ranked Line Christophersen losing 12-21, 21-19, 21-15 to upstart Polina Buhrova in the first women’s singles.
That was the only blemish in Denmark’s victory as the rest of the Danish players proved too strong and went on to secure an overall 4–1 win.
Denmark were the only European nation to advance from the group stage.
Türkiye, ended their Uber Cup campaign with a 5–0 win over South Africa but failed to advance.
Later today Bulgaria and Spain will meet in the Uber Cup. Neither team can advance from the group.
In another match, one of the pre-tournament favourites Japan defeated Malaysia 4-1. The Japanese, surprisingly dropped the second doubles with Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi losing to Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah 21-17, 12-21, 21-19.
Malaysian third singles player Goh Jin Wei withdrew injured while leading Riko Gunji 21-19, 3-4. The absence of Jin Wei in the quarter-finals will be a big blow to the Malaysian hopes.
RESULTS
UBER CUP
Group A
Denmark beat Ukraine 4-1 (Line Christophersen lost to Polina Buhrova 12-21, 21-19, 21-15; Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt bt Sofiia Lavrova 21-10, 21-9; Amalie Schulzbt Mariia Stoliarenko 21-12, 21-4; Alexandre Bøje-Simona Pilgaard bt Raiia Almalalha-Anastasiia Alymova 21-6, 21-6; Amalie Cecilie Kudsk-Mette Werge bt Sofiia Lavrova-Mariia Stoliarenko 21-14, 21-10)
Group B
Japan beat Malaysia 4-1 (Akane Yamaguchi bt Letshanaa Karupathevan 21-19, 21-17; Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto bt Ong Xin Yee-Thinaah Muralitharan 21-9, 21-9; Tomoka Miyazaki bt Wong Ling Ching 21-16, 21-13; Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi lost to Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah 21-17, 12-21, 21-19; Riko Gunji bt Goh Jin Wei 21-19, 3-4 rtd)
Türkiye beat South Africa 5-0 ((Neslihan Arin bt Johanita Scholtz 21-12, 21-14; Ozge Bayrak bt Chloe Lai 21-4, 21-10; Zehra Erdem bt Elme de Villiers 21-10, 21-4; Bengisu Ercetin-Nazlican Inci bt Amy Ackerman-Johanita Scholtz 21-8, 21-5; Yaseman Bektas-Sinem Yildiz bt Elme de Villiers-Anri Schoonees 21-7, 21-7)
