Indian eves assured of bronze in Uber Cup

Kunshan (Chi), May 19: The Indian women’s badminton team was assured of a second straight bronze medal in the Uber Cup as it moved past Thailand 3–1 to enter the semi–fils here on Thursday.

India, who lost to Japan in the 2014 edition in the semi–fils to settle for their maiden bronze medal, won before the fifth rubber despite their spearhead Sai Nehwal losing the first match.

World Championship 2015 runner–up Sai lost to world No.2 and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon 12–21, 19–21 in 41 minutes at the Kunshan Sports Centre. Ratchanok’s deception and guile proved to be difficult for Sai.

It was the 21–year–old Thai’s fifth win in 11 encounters against the 26–year–old Sai, bronze medallist in the 2012 Olympics.

In the second singles match, double World Championship bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu brought India level 1–1 with a comprehensive 21–18, 21–7 triumph in 43 minutes over world No.21 Busan Ongbamrungphan.

Experienced doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponppa gave India the 2–1 lead as they quelled the challenge of Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattachai 21–18, 21–16 in 39 minutes.

Later, world No.119 Ruthvika Shivani Gadde played out of her skin to shock No.25 Nitchaon Jindapol 21–18, 21–16 in 41 minutes to hand India the 3–1 victory.

In other quarter–fils of the day, South Korea defeated Indonesia 3–1, defending champions Chi got the better of Chinese Taipei 3–0 and Japan ended Denmark’s campaign with a 3–0 triumph.

In the semi–fil on Friday, India face a tough task of beating two–time defending champions and record 13–time winners Chi.

In the Thomas Cup matches, Lee Chong Wei–led Malaysia thrashed Chinese Taipei 3–1, while Indonesia beat Hong Kong 3–1. IANS