Indian women enter Uber Cup quarterfinals

Chengdu (China): Isharani Baruah and Anmol Kharb shone bright as the Indian women's team entered the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup badminton tournament with a lopsided 4-1 win over Singapore in their second Group A tie, here on Sunday.

Asian champions India, who had defeated Canada 4-1 in the opening tie, produced another fine show as they recovered from the opening match loss of Ashmita Chaliha and went on to win the rest of the contests with ease to come up trumps.

It turned out to be a fine weekend for the young and inexperienced Indian side. The Indians displayed their skill and temperament on pm the big stage.

China blanked Canada 3-0 in another group A match and the result was enough for both India and their Asian neighbours to seal the quarterfinal spot.

India are placed second behind China. The two teams will clash on Tuesday in their final group match to decide the top spot.

The 53rd-ranked  Ashmita, who had outwitted Canada's Michelle Li on Saturday, found the going tough against world No. 18 Yeo Jia Min, going down 15-21, 18-21.

National champions Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra, ranked 67, then brought India back with a 21-15, 21-16 win over Xiao En Heng and Jin Yu Jia in the first doubles tie.

Isharani, ranked 83rd, went on to double India's lead by claiming a 21-13, 21-16 win over Insyirah Khan in the second singles.

The 64th-ranked pair of Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker dished out a superb performance en route to a 21-8, 21-11 win over Yi Ting Elsa Lai and Zan Michelle as India took an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Rising star Anmol, ranked 258th, then completed a 21-15, 21-13 win over Lee Xin Megan in the third singles.

India have reached the semifinals of the Uber Cup thrice -- in 1957, 2014 and 2016.

Defending champions Indian men will face England on Monday in their second Group C tie of the Thomas Cup. India had defeated Thailand 4-1 on Saturday.

The results: Uber Cup: India bt Singapore 4-1 (Ashmita Chaliha lost to Yeo Jia Min 15-21, 18-21; Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra bt Xiao En Heng/Yu Jia Jin 21-15, 21-16; Isharani Baruah bt Insyirah Khan 21-13, 21-16; Simran Singhi/Ritika Thaker bt Lai Yi Ting Elsa and Michelle Zan 21-8, 21-11; Anmol Kharab bt Lee Xin Yi Megan 21-15, 21-13).