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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The men's Group C clash between India and Singapore went down to the wire, with former world number 1 Kidambi Srikanth coming up with a clinical performance in the third men's singles against Jia Wei Joel Koh 21-15, 21-16 to ensure that the Indian men's team began their campaign with a win and assured themselves of a last eight spot, as Singapore had lost their first group game against Japan 1-4.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India's campaign did not get off to the desired start, as Lakshya Sen went down 21-16, 19-21, 21-16 against former world champion Loh Kean Yew. But Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty resoted parity with a 21-10, 21-8 win over Eng Keat Wesley Koh and Junsuke Kubo 21-10, 21-8 and Ayush Shetty then defeated Jia Heng Jason Teh 21-17, 21-15 to give India the lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The second doubles combination 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 before going down 21-8, 21-23, 20-22. This meant that Srikanth had to find a way to beat Koh, and the experienced campaigner did that in style.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the women's match, defending champions India did not break any sweat against Myanmar with world junior championship silver medallist Tanvi Sharma opening the account with a 21-13, 21-16 win over Thet Htar Thuzar and then the team sweeping all remaining two singles and both the doubles matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They will now face Thailand in the second group game on Thursday to decide the group winner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Results:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They will now face Thailand in the second group game on Thursday to decide the group winner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Men Group C: India bt Singapore 3-2 (Lakshya Sen lost to Loh Kean Yew 16-21, 21-19, 16-21; Satwiksairaj Rankireddy\/Chirag Shetty bt Eng Keat Wesley Koh\/Junsuke Kubo 21-10, 21-8; Ayush Shetty bt Jia Heng Jason Teh 21-17, 21-15; Pruthvi Roy\/K Sai Pratheek lost to Nge Joo Jie\/Donovan Willard Wee 21-8, 21-23, 20-22; Kidambi Srikanth bt Jia Wei Joel Koh 21-15, 21-16<\/p>\r\n\r\n