Japan's Akane Yamaguchi hits a return on her way to a straight sets victory against Thailand's Ratchanok IntanonJapan's women clinched the Uber Cup on Saturday, breezing by surprise finalists Thailand 3-0 in Bangkok to end a 37-year wait to regain the title. It ends an Uber Cup drought for Japan that stretches back to 1981 and is a major confidence boost ahead of the Olympics which they will host in two years' time. The Uber Cup is second in prestige only to the Olympics as a national team event. "Thirty-seven years ago Japan was very strong... we are happy to make history again," a beaming Okuhara told reporters. The win caps four years of effort to push the players up through the world rankings while knitting together the national team, coach Park Joo-Bong said.

Source: Daily Mail May 26, 2018 08:19 UTC