I don't see how cups are in any way better than desilitres. You use a larger measuring tool when you need more than say three dl. I agree that grams are inconvenient to use for flours and liquids, so litre/desilitre/millilitre just seems the logical option.

I'm obviously very biased by growing up with SI units, and having no cup measures around. Every time a recipe says cups, I sigh and use a smartphone to convert it.