Badminton: Indian eves crushed by China 0-3, settle for bronze
Kunshan (China), May 20 (IANS) India’s women’s badminton team settled for a second straight bronze medal after being crushed by record champions China 0-3 in the semi-finals of the Uber Cup here on Friday.
India, who lost to Japan in the 2014 edition in the semi-finals to settle for their maiden bronze medal, failed to show some resistance against the invincible Chinese, who wrapped up the tie in just three matches.
India’s hopes fizzled out as spearhead and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal failed to win her match against reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui.
World No.3 Xuerui’s 21-15, 12-21, 21-17 triumph in an hour and four minutes over Saina decimated Indian dreams at the Kunshan Sports Centre.
It was the 25-year-old Xuerui’s 12th win in 14 encounters against the 2015 World Championship silver medallist, who has now lost eight consecutive games against the Chinese.
In the next contest, double World Championship bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu lost to world No.6 Shixian Wang 13-21, 21-23 in 50 minutes as China took a 2-0 lead. Former world No.1 Shixian now holds a 6-4 lead in head-to-head record against Sindhu.
World No.4 doubles pair of Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao took just 25 minutes to brush aside Indian pair of Jwala Gutta and N. Sikki Reddy 21-6, 21-6. This win sealed China’s spot in the Uber Cup final for the 17th consecutive time.
China has the most number of Uber Cup titles, 13.
In the other semi-final, last year’s runners-up Japan face South Korea later in the day.
In the first Thomas Cup semi-final, 13 times champions Indonesia thumped South Korea 3-1.
In the second semi-final, defending champions Japan will be up against South Korea.