Indian women's badminton players ensured their first-ever medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships by comfortably defeating Hong Kong 3-0 in the quarterfinals held in Malaysia on February 16.
Following their impressive victory over top-seeded China in the group stage, India swept past Hong Kong with victories from two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, Ashmita Chaliha, and the doubles team of Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto.
Returning from a long injury layoff, Sindhu secured a hard-earned victory against the lower-ranked Lo Sin Yan Happy of Hong Kong on February 16. It took Sindhu 52 minutes to defeat the World No. 77 21-7, 16-21, 21-12.
Meanwhile, Tanisha and Ashwini secured victory in their first doubles match in straight games to give India a 2-0 lead. The last two matches of the quarter-final tie were unnecessary as Ashmita comfortably sealed a straight-game win over Sum Yee Yeung in just 37 minutes.
Indian women’s team secured their maiden medal
India may face China again, this time in the semi-finals, as Sindhu's team awaits the outcome of the quarter-final clash between China and Japan.
Earlier this week, India delivered a remarkable performance by defeating top-seeded China 3-2 in an exhilarating Group Y encounter. 16-year-old Anmol Kharb achieved the most significant victory of her career by clinching the deciding singles match for India.
Sindhu, competing in her first match since October last year, exhibited a clinical performance against Han Yue, the World No. 8, in her encounter against China.
The victory over China, coupled with topping their group, enabled India to avoid a tougher challenge in the quarter-finals. Sindhu's team lived up to expectations by blanking Hong Kong 3-0.
Indian men's team lost to China
Meanwhile, The Indian men's badminton team displayed a determined effort against China but fell short with a 2-3 score in the Group A match of the Badminton Asia Team Championship in Selangor, Malaysia, on February 15.
The Indian men's team will face Japan in their quarter-final encounter.
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