Japan end Uber jinx

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", reports Xinhua news agency. 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. Thailand, who registered the shock of the tournament by beating perennial winners China in Friday's semis, celebrated the runners-up medal as a sign of progress for a young side growing in confidence as the Asian Games approaches. "We are strong contenders to win gold in the not too distant future," declared coach Rexy Mainaky.