PV Sindhu guides Indian women’s team to quarters
In the absence of World No.2 Saina Nehwal, World No.12 PV Sindhu guided the Indian women’s team to a quarter-final spot in the Badminton Asia Team Championships defeating Singapore 5-0 in their opening group match at Hyderabad on Wednesday. India will next face Japan tomorrow to decide the group winners.
In the first women’s singles tie of the evening, PV Sindhu, who suffered a shock defeat to Ruthvika Shivani
PC Thulasi, who is ranked 111th in the world, also registered an easy victory against Hui Zhen Grace Chua from Singapore by defeating her 21-16, 21-7 to double India’s lead in the tie. The Singapore shuttler put in a spirited effort in the first game pushing her Indian rival for every point, but after a loss in the first game, Hui Zhen tamely surrendered the second game to let Thulasi take a win in 32 minutes.
India took an unassailable 3-0 lead after the third women’s singles, which was won by 18-year old South Asian Games champion Ruthvika Shivani
With all five matches being played in the group stages, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa defeated Shinta Mulia Sari and Wei Han Tan 21-18, 21-16, while PV Sindhu and Sikki Reddy defeated Jia Ying Crystal Wong and Jia Min Yeo 21-8,21-14.
Brief Scores:
1. Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu vs Xiaoyu Liang 21-17,21-11
2. Women’s Singles: PC Thulasi vs Hui Zhen Grace Chua 21-16, 21-7
3. Women’s Singles: Ruthvika Shivani
4. Women’s Doubles: Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa vs Shinta Mulia Sari and Wei Han Tan 21-18, 21-6
5. Women’s Doubles: PV Sindhu/Sikki Reddy vs Jia Ying Crystal Wong and Jia Min Yeo 21-8,21-14
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