The Danish women's badminton team fell short on Saturday against the top Chinese favorites at the Uber Cup, the Women's Team World Championship, which is being played in Horsens.
China is the defending winner of the Uber Cup and the top seed at this year's tournament, and that was evident against Denmark, who were handed a reality check after Friday's opening victory over India.
The Chinese won the first three matches in two sets and thus won the overall matches before the final two clashes of the day.
Line Christophersen opened the team match by losing clearly in two sets, 21-11, 21-14, against the World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi.
The Chinese performed at an impressive level, and Christophersen, who is ranked 21st in the world rankings, was punished for all unforced errors.
The task was not any easier for the Danish doubles pair with Amalie Kudsk and Mette Werge in the second match against Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning. The Danes lost in two sets, 21-10, 21-16, to the Chinese world champions.
The Chinese played at their usual high level, and at the same time, it didn't help that the Danish doubles players are not used to playing together.
Kudsk and Werge fought well, but they were never close to making it exciting.
This put maximum pressure on Mia Blichfeldt, who was playing her first match at the Uber Cup after she had sat out the win against India on Friday due to knee problems.
However, Blichfeldt was helpless and lost in two sets, 11-21, 13-21, to Chinese Han Yue, who is ranked fifth in the world.
In the first set, Blichfeldt's knee problems did not seem to hinder her, but her physical condition seemed to be a hindrance for Blichfeldt in the second set. The Dane fought as best as she could, but she was clearly not at 100 percent.
The doubles with Simona Pilgaard, Anna Klausholm, and Line Kjaersfeldt in singles still need to play their matches against the Chinese. They must be played, as they could have an impact on the overall scoreline in the group.
The Danish women still have the quarter-final fate in their own hands. That requires a victory over Ukraine on Monday.