China blanks Netherlands, lifts 5th consecutive Uber Cup title

Tokyo, May 6 (UNI) Defiant Mia Audina snatched a game from World number one Zhang Ning but that was all the Dutch shuttlers could do as China blanked the Netherlands 3-0 to lift their fifth consecutive Uber Cup title, 10th overall, at the Metropolitan Gymnasium here today.

Few game the Dutch any chance against the redoubtable Chinese shuttlers, who outplayed their Dutch rivals in all departments of the game.

The lithe and lissom Zhang Ning faced stiff competition from Mia Audina who did not attach much importance to her rival's status and after conceding the first game, drew parity winning the second.

But to her utter disappoint, Zhang had the last laugh and the Chinese was relieved after waging a battle for more than an hour for her 21-18, 19-21, 21-18 win.

World number two Xie Xingfang, however, was in control of the proceedings against Judith Meulendijks whom she beat 21-17, 21-18 and Jiang Yanjiao completed the formality with a facile 21-9, 21-7 victory over Rachel van Cutsen in just 26 minutes.

Results: China beat Netherlands 3-0 : Zhang Ning (China) bt Mia Audina (Netherlands) 21-18, 19-21, 21-18; Xie Xingfang (China) bt Judith Meulendijks (Netherlands) 21-17, 21-18; Jiang Yanjiao (China) bt Rachel van Cutsen (Netherlands) 21-9, 21-7.

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