Aarhus: Chinese Taipei and Thailand will collide this Saturday on day one of the Thomas Cup Finals that will take place in Aarhus, Denmark on Oct 9, 2021.
Playing in their first international tournament after winning the Tokyo Olympics men’s doubles gold medal, Lee Yang/Wang Qi-lin of Chinese Taipei will spearhead Taiwan’s Thomas Cup team alongside World No. 4 men’s singles player, Chou Tien Chen, and World No. 11 Wang Tzu Wei to kick off the 2020 Thomas Cup group stage competition against Thailand.
Despite losing to Japan 1-3 in last week’s Sudirman Cup quarter-finals, Chinese Taipei’s other men’s doubles pair, Lee Jhe-Huei/Yang Po-Hsuan scored the only point for their team at the mixed team tournament. Therefore, the Chinese Taipei team has the potential to go far at the 2020 Thomas Cup finals.
As for Thailand, its former 3-time World junior champ and current World No. 23 Kunlavut Vitidsarn has proven he could do well at the senior level. He defeated Shi Yuqi of China and former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth of India during the group stage at last week’s Sudirman Cup.
Thailand’s other men’s singles players, including World No. 18 Kantaphon Wangchaoren and World No. 54 Suppanyu Avihingsanon could also score points for their team.
Furthermore, Thailand also has strong men’s doubles options such as Supak Jomkoh/Kedren Kittinupong.
On paper, Chinese Taipei seemed to have a stronger line-up, but Thailand did have the capacity needed to spring a surprise.
