Indian women have it easy against Thai shuttlers
Saina & Co top Group Y to avoid stronger opponents in Thursday's quarterfinals
Indian women shuttlers continued their stupendous show in Uber Cup by topping Group Y and strengthening their chances of entering the semifinals.
On Day 3 of the Thomas and Uber Cup finals at the Siri Fort Complex here on Tuesday, Saina Nehwal & Co. who were the saving grace of this team championships after the men failed to qualify for the Thomas Cup quarterfinals having lost both their ties on Sunday and Monday, won their third tie of the group against Thailand to finish unbeaten in the Group. As a first-placed team, Indian women avoid running into stronger opponents China, Japan and Korea in the quarterfinals that will be played on Thursday.
The quarterfinal draw will be made on late on Wednesday night after all the league matches are over.
On Tuesday, Indian women won their first three matches, all in straight games to settle the issue beyond Thailand.
World No. 8 Saina opened with a 22-20 21-14 win over world No. 4 Ratchanok Intanon in 42 minutes. Saina needed to be at her best to win against the Thai world champion, who has been battling injuries in recent times and as a result, her form has dipped. But nothing to take away the credit from Saina, who has been coping up a mixed run herself of late.
World No. 11 Sindhu put it across it across Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 21-19 21-14 in 37 minutes, after which the formidable doubles combination of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had it easy in the first doubles, winning 21-16 21-13 against Duanganong Aroonkesorn and Savitree Amitrapai.
Busanan Ongbumrungpan pulled one back for Thailand when she defeated PC Thulasi 21-15 21-10 in 36 minutes.
The Indian women take a well deserved break on Wednesday ahead of their last eight clash the next day. However, during the day, Indian men will take on Germany in an inconsequential tie of the Thomas Cup Group C.