The Indian women’s team beat Hong Kong 3-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Badminton Team Championship for the first time in the tournament in Selangor, Malaysia, on Friday. India, who defeated China on Tuesday to reach Group W, had a good quarterfinal match with two-time Olympic champion PV Sindhu leading the way again.
Sindhu, returning after a long layoff due to injury, started strongly against Lo Sin Yan Happy but had to adjust after dropping out in the second game to win 21-7, 16-21, 21-12 to take the lead in India. Sindhu started the match in style by winning 11 of the first 12 points and cruised into the opening game. But if he’s hoping for an easy way out, Lo has other plans. The Hong Kong driver
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In the final game, Sindhu was much stronger than her opponent as she started another upset without looking in trouble. The women’s doubles combination of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponappa proved to be the pair as they walked away with a World No. 1 title. The 18th round of Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam 21-10, 21-14 to put India within striking distance of the semi-finals.
Ashmita Chaliha completed the quarterfinals with a 21-12, 21-13 win over Yeung Sum Yee. All but assured of a medal, India will face the winner of another quarter-final between seeds Japan and China. Indian men will face Japan in the fourth round today.
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