 "India have won both their ties in the group stage of the Uber Cup competition. Image: Badminton Association of India/X")
Isharani Baruah and Anmol Kharb were the bright sparks as the Indian women’s team entered the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup badminton tournament with a lopsided 4-1 win over Singapore in the second tie of Group A in Chengdu, China on Sunday.
Asian Games champions India, who had defeated Canada 4-1 in the opening tie, produced another fine show as they recovered from the opening match loss to win four in a row and ease into the next stage of the competition.
It turned out to be a fine weekend for the young and inexperienced Indian side, without the big guns, but they displayed their skill and temperament at the big stage to win two out of two ties.
China blanked Canada 3-0 in another group A match and the result was enough for both India and their neighbours to seal the last-eight spot.
With the twin victories, India are now second behind China in Group A. The two teams will clash in their final group match on Tuesday to decide the table toppers.
Ashmita Chaliha, 53rd ranked, who had outwitted Canada’s Michelle Li, found the going tough against world No. 18 Yeo Jia Min, going down 15-21, 18-21.
National champions Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra then brought India back with a 21-15, 21-16 win over Xiao En Heng and Jin Yu Jia in the first women’s doubles.
Isharani extended India’s lead by claiming a 21-13, 21-16 win over Insyirah Khan in the second singles.
The pair of Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker dished out a superb performance en route 21-8, 21-11 win over Yi Ting Elsa Lai and Zan Michelle as India took unassailable 3-1 lead.
Rising star Anmol then sealed the tie with a 21-15, 21-13 win over Lee Xin Megan in the third singles.
“It was a very important match, because if we won this tie (vs Singapore) we would qualify (to the quarterfinals). So, there was a bit of pressure but in a good way. Even though Ashmita lost, she gave her best,” said Shruti.
“It was then our turn to give our best. We were not very confident during our first tie but today we were more confident. The side courts have a little bit of drift but our court was fine,” she added.
India have been to the semifinals of the Uber Cup thrice - in 1957, 2014 and 2016.
In the Thomas Cup competition, featuring the men, defending champions India will face England on Monday in their second Group C tie.
India had defeated Thailand 4-1 in the opening tie.
(with inputs from PTI)