China sweep Australia to begin defense of Uber Cup

BANGKOK - China's women's badminton team swept Australia 5-0 on Sunday to begin their quest to defend their Uber Cup title.

In the opening singles, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Chen Yufei had a close first set with world No. 72 Chen Hsuan-yu by only winning 21-19. But Chen then took control of the match with a 21-10 win in the second set.

Returning to the Uber Cup as defending champions only after seven months, Chen said she would not consider the past results too closely. "What's important is focusing on right now and giving everything I have."

In the following doubles, China didn't start their world No. 1 duo Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, but Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu easily overcame Joyce Chong and Angela Yu 21-12, 21-12.

In the second singles, He Bingjiao crushed Louisa Ma 21-6, 21-6 in only 20 minutes to secure victory for China.

In the two remaining matches, Du Yue and Li Wenmei beat Kaitlyn Ea and Gronya Somerville 21-11, 21-5, while Zhang Yiman defeated Tiffany Ho 21-6, 21-9.