India's Olympic medal-winning shuttler PV Sindhu led the proceedings for the women's badminton team with a 21-10, 21-11 win over Jennie Gai. Her victory was one of four over USA as the side secured an emphatic 4-1 victory over their American rivals in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 9.
Sindhu's win was followed by a victory for the doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Treesa Jolly, who beat Francesca Corbett and Allison Lee 21-19 21-10 before Aakarshi Kashyap secured a 21-18, 21-11 victory over Esther Shi. Although the young doubles pair of Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker went down fighting to Lauren Lam and Kodi Tang Lee 12-21, 21-17, 13-21 to make it 3-1, Ashmita Chaliha prevailed 21-18 21-13 in the final match over Natalie Chi to wrap up the win for India.
This victory for the women's badminton team ensured their place in the knockout stage of the Uber Cup Final in what was their penultimate Group D match. India, who had already defeated Canada 4-1 in the opening tie, notched up a second successive win to cement their position in the top two of their group to qualify for the quarterfinals.
The women's team, which has won two bronze medals in the past in this event, will next face the formidable Korea on Wednesday in their last group match.
Meanwhile, the Indian men's team also qualified for the knockout stage after ensuring their place in the top two in their group.