India assure quarterfinal spot with wins over Singapore and Myanmar

India’s men overcame Singapore in a thrilling Group C clash, with Kidambi Srikanth sealing victory, while the women cruised past Myanmar in the Badminton Asia Team Championships at Qingdao. Both teams assured themselves of quarterfinal spots and now face Thailand next

Hyderabad: Indian men overcame a strong challenge from Singapore, while the women dominated Myanmar in their opening group stage encounters to assure themselves of a quarterfinal spot in the Badminton Asia Team Championships being played in Qingdao, China, on Wednesday.

The men’s Group C clash between India and Singapore went down to the wire, with former world number one Kidambi Srikanth producing a clinical performance in the third singles against Jia Wei Joel Koh, winning 21-15, 21-16 to ensure India began their campaign with a win and secured a last-eight spot, as Singapore had lost their first group game against Japan 1-4.

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India’s campaign did not start well, as Lakshya Sen went down 21-16, 19-21, 21-16 against former world champion Loh Kean Yew. But Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty restored parity with a 21-10, 21-8 win over Eng Keat Wesley Koh and Junsuke Kubo, before Ayush Shetty defeated Jia Heng Jason Teh 21-17, 21-15 to give India the lead.

The second doubles pair of Pruthvi Roy and K Sai Pratheek almost sealed the match for India as they easily won the opening game against Nge Joo Jie and Donovan Willand Wee, but eventually went down 21-8, 21-23, 20-22. This meant Srikanth had to step up, and the experienced campaigner did that in style.

In the women’s match, defending champions India cruised past Myanmar. World junior championship silver medallist Tanvi Sharma opened the account with a 21-13, 21-16 win over Thet Htar Thuzar, before the team swept the remaining two singles and both doubles matches.

India will now face Thailand in the second group game on Thursday to decide the group winner.