PremiumThomas and Uber Cup 2024 - India men's and women's teams both begin campaign with victories
While the women's team defeated Canada with a 4-1 win, the men's team also secured a 4-1 victory over Thailand in Chengdu.
Last Updated: 09.05 PM, Apr 27, 2024
A good start to the Thomas and Uber Final 2024 campaign for Team India as both the men's and women's teams began with victories against their respective opponents. While the women's team defeated Canada with a 4-1 win, the men's team also secured a 4-1 victory over Thailand in Chengdu.
Thomas Cup:
HS Prannoy lost to Kunlavut Vitidsarn 20-22, 14-21, which happened to be the only loss for the men's side. However, the dynamic Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty pulled things back in India's favour with the former just recovering from injury. They defeated the pair of Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-19, 19-21, 21-12 to level the score to 1-1.
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In the second singles tie, India was pushed to the distance, but Lakshya Sen overcame a mid-match blip to win in three games 21-12, 19-21, 21-16.
Dhruv Kapil and MR Arjun clinched the tie in the second doubles tie as they defeated Tanadon Punpanich and Wachirawit Sothon 21-19, 21-15. In the end, Srikanth completed the formalities with a dominant performance against Saran Jamsri, winning 21-9, 21-5.
Uber Cup:
Earlier in the day, the Indian women's team began their campaign against Canada. With no PV Sindhu, Tanisha Crasto, Ashwini Ponnappa, and the main group, fans were relying on their hopes on the fairly new squad, and they started with a win.
Ashmita, Isharani, and Anmol in women's singles, and Priya-Shruti in women's doubles won their matches in straight games to register the win. The only blemish in India's magnificent win was Simran Singhi and Ritka Thaker's straight-game defeat.
Ashmita Chaliha defeated the World No. 25 Michelle Li 26-24, 24-22 to give India a superb start in a crucial Uber Cup Group A tie. Playing against a player who beat India's two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu three times, Ashmita got off to a slow start.
Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra, the doubles national champions, then gave India a 2-0 lead against Catherine Choi and Jeslyn Chow by defeating them 21-12, 21-10.
Isharani Baruah then clinched the tie for India as she defeated higher-ranked Wen Yu Zhang. The 20-year-old Indian went on to win 21-13, 21-12, sealing the deal.
Though Canada managed to pull things back in the 4th game with Jackie Dent and Crystal Lai defeating Simran and Ritka 21-19, 21-15, India's sensation Anmol Kharb went on to finish things off in style. The national champion, who was the star performer for India en route to their maiden Asia Team Championships title, defeated Eliana Zhang 21-15, 21-11.