Chen concerns take luster off Thomas Cup triumph

Team China served up a mixed bag at the Thomas and Uber Cups in Bangkok last week, with a timely triumph for the men tempered by a miserable tournament for the women and concerns over a lack of emerging top-class talent.

The men's 3-1 final win over Japan on Sunday was China's tenth Thomas Cup triumph but its first in the biennial tournament since 2012 following exits in the 2014 semifinals to Japan and the 2016 quarterfinals to South Korea.

Despite China's return to ascendancy, Chen Long's defeat in the final left many observers concerned that the nation still lacks a new superstar to take the baton from the reigning Olympic and two-time world champion.