Sindhu leads India to 3-2 win over Hong Kong in Asia Championship

With London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina Nehwal pulling out of the tournament citing a groin injury, Sindhu proved her mettle as she first claimed the singles match and then combined with N Sikki Reddy to win the second doubles game. 

Sindhu recovered quickly from her heart-breaking loss at the finals of the India Open last Sunday by winning 21-12 21-18 against Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin in the first singles. Ashwini Ponnappa and Prajakta Sawant then played their heart out before losing 2220 20-22 10-21 to Ng Wing Yung and Yeung Nga Ting in a 52-minute first women’s doubles clash.

Young Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli took the court against Cheung Ying Mei but her gallant fight ended with a 19-21 21-18 20-22 loss in the second singles as India trailed 1-2 after three of the five-match tie. Sindhu then combined with Sikki and notched up a 21-15 15-21 21-14 win over Ng Tsz Yau and Yuen Sin Ying to equalise. 

It eventually came down to the third singles and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde recovered from a game down to outwit Yeung Sum Yee 16-21 21-16 21-13 to earn India the crucial win. The Asia Team championship is also a qualifier for the Uber Cup Final with the semi-finalists earning the right to play in Bangkok in May.

On Thursday, India will take on a formidable Japan, which boasts of world no.2 Akane Yamaguchi and reigning world champion Nozomi Okuhara. Saina, who had recovered from an ankle injury to reach the finals of Indonesia Masters.