Badminton Asia Cup: India beats Singapore, enters quarterfinals

India sailed into the quarterfinals of Badminton Asia Team Championship with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Singapore in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

India, thus, made a strong comeback after suffering a defeat to China in their first Group A tie on Monday.

Each tie comprises three singles and two doubles matches.

To begin with, Kidambi Srikanth scored a comfortable 21-16, 12-21, 21-13 win over Zi Liang Derek Wong in the first singles match at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium.

The Singaporean tried to compete but the world number 9 Indian, after losing the second game, bounced back to have the last laugh.

It turned out to be a one-sided affair for Ajay Jayaram in the second singles against Kean Yew Loh as he went on to score a 21-11, 21-18 victory.

India’s doubles players, too, came up with an impressive performance and won the two matches quite easily. Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy beat Yong Kai Terry Hee-Kean Hean Loh 21-15, 21-14.

While the duo of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar trounced Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Hendra Wijaya 21-14, 21-13 in the second doubles match.

The 27-ranked HS Prannoy, too, dominated his singles match against Zin Rei Ryan NG, winning it 21-10, 21-12.

Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand expressed happiness over the team’s commanding performance.

“It’s a good win. The 5-0 win is wonderful. Hopefully, we will do better in the next matches as well,” he told PTI.

In the morning session’s other men’s matches, Japan trounced Sri Lanka 5-0, Malaysia defeated Nepal 5-0 and Hong Kong China beat Philippines 4-1.