India ensures itself a historic medal

May 23, 2014 04:57 am | Updated 04:57 am IST - NEW DELHI:

It was an evening to remember for the home fans present at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium. In the space of 200 minutes, Saina Nehwal shook off a slow beginning to provide the team a dream start, and the duo of G. Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa upstaged much higher-ranked rivals to a remarkable finale.

In between, what 18-year-old P.V. Sindhu lacked in quality of play, she made up for through unquestionable tenacity.In the end, these added up to give India a memorable 3-0 triumph over former champion Indonesia for a place in Friday’s Uber Cup semifinals against Japan.

The victory ensured the host a podium-finish for the first time since 1957, the inaugural year, when India came within a victory of reaching the final. On that occasion, India finished third among 12 teams.

Chief coach P. Gopi Chand had a job to remind the team members that the job was far from over. “We have a good chance against Japan, hopefully to win like we did today,” he said.

Lindaweni Fanetri, ranked 23rd to Saina’s eighth, settled down early. While Saina was too error-prone, the Indonesian’s pace was too good to last beyond a 15-7 advantage. At this stage, Saina chose to rally more, tossing the shuttle to her rival’s forehand corner and catching her at the net with drops and dribbles to lead 19-16. Thereafter, Saina lost only a point, by sending a toss long, before closing the game.

In the second, it was Saina all the way.

In the second singles, 11th ranked Sindhu was expected to beat Ballaetrix Manuputty, the World No.24. Sindhu soon jumped to a 12-5 lead. She did err in defence but eventually converted her second game-point.

In the second game, it was Manuputty who had it surprisingly easy with Sindhu committing far too many errors.

“I was very frustrated as nothing seemed to be working. But Gopi sir told me to prolong the rallies and not rush my strokes,” revealed Sindhu.

The deciding game saw longer rallies with Sindhu looking to get her rhythm back. As the match grew longer, Sindhu cut down on her attacking strokes and relied more on her defensive skills. With her flicks not landing the way they usually do, she relied on merely pushing the shuttle back for placements.

Though Sindhu led 19-17 it was the Indonesian who held two match-points at 20-19 and 21-20.

Amid mounting tension, Sindhu held her nerve and eventually converted her third match-point when Manuputty netted a return.

Thereafter, Jwala and Ashwini played above their World ranking of 36 against the ninth-ranked rivals, Greysia Polji and Nitya Krishinda Maheshwari for a 21-18, 21-18 victory.

The results (quarterfinals): Thomas Cup: China bt Thailand 3-0; Japan bt France 3-1; Malaysia bt Denmark 3-1; Indonesia bt Korea 3-2.

Uber Cup: China bt England 3-0; Korea bt Thailand 3-1.

India bt Indonesia 3-0 (Saina Nehwal bt Lindaweni Fanetri 21-17, 21-10; P.V. Sindhu bt Ballaetrix Manuputty 21-16, 10-21, 25-23; G. Jwala & Ashwini Ponnappa bt Greysia Polji & Nitya Krishinda Maheshwari 21-18, 21-18).

Japan bt Denmark 3-0.

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