Japan beats Thailand 3-0, winning 1st Uber Cup in 37 years

BANGKOK - Japan beat Thailand 3-0 in the final of Uber Cup 2018 on Saturday, wining their first tournament title since 1981.

For the first order, Japanese player Akane Yamaguchi defeated Thailand's top single player Ratchanok Intanon 21-15, 21-15, though Ratchanok "tried her best already".

Then Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota overcame Thai double players Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Puttita Supajirakul by 21-18, 21-12, before Nitchaon Jindapol failed to win back a point for Thailand.

Japanese player Nozomi Okuhara eased past Nichaon 21-12, 21-9.

This is the first time that Japanese women win a Uber Cup since 1981 and is the sixth Uber Cup they have earned in history.

Though failed to be champion, it is the first time for Thailand to enter the final of Uber Cup in history.

Chinese women, beaten by Thai women in semifinal on Friday, won the bronze medal along with South Korea.