The 1957 Uber Cup was the inaugural Uber Cup; a women's international team badminton championship promoted by Betty Uber. Eleven nations took part competing first (as in Thomas Cup competition) within zones to qualify for interzone matches. The final round was held in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England on 18 March 1957.[1][2] The United States won the event, defeating Denmark.

Qualification

Three teams qualified for the interzone stage of the competition, the United States, India, and Denmark. Denmark received a bye in the first round to go directly into the final. Originally four teams were to be represented in the interzone matches, but New Zealand which qualified from Australasia withdrew.

Means of qualification Date Venue Slot Qualified teams
Asian Zone 30 August – 22 December 1956 Hong Kong
Kuala Lumpur
1  India
American Zone 25 – 26 February 1957 Kitchener 1  United States
European Zone 17 November 1956 – 16 February 1957 Belfast
Dublin
Wimbledon
1  Denmark
Australasian Zone 1  New Zealand
Total 4

Knockout stage

The following four teams, shown by region, qualified for the 1957 Uber Cup. In the semi-finals, the United States defeated India 7–0. New Zealand withdrew from the competition, giving Denmark a place in the final.

The United States and Denmark competed in the final. 7 matches were played: 3 singles and 4 doubles (2 doubles, then reversed). Winning all three of her matches, Judy Devlin led the way to a decisive 6–1 victory for the USA. [3]

Bracket

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
13 March 1957 – Eastbourne
 
 
 United States7
 
18 March 1957 – Lytham St Annes
 
 India0
 
 United States6
 
 
 
 Denmark1
 
 New Zealand
 
 
 Denmarkw/o
 

Semi-finals

13 March 1957 (1957-03-13)
United States  7–0  India
Report
March 1957 (1957-03)
Denmark   New Zealand
Report

Final

18 March 1957 (1957-03-18)
United States  6–1  Denmark
Report


 1957 Uber Cup winner 

United States
First title

References

  1. ^ tangkis.tripod.com. Accessed 22 May 2006
  2. ^ Team Announcement Badminton Australia - pdf Archived 2006-08-22 at the Wayback Machine Uber Cup. Accessed 22 May 2006
  3. ^ "Times Archives". Oxfordshire Libraries.