New Delhi: Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu emerged victorious in their respective singles rubbers, but together faltered in the decisive second doubles as India went down fighting 2-3 to five-time champions Japan in the Uber Cup semifinals at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Friday. The hosts thus settled for a bronze, while Japan women’s side will play their seventh final against defending champions China on Saturday.
Going into the tie, India knew Japan’s doubles pairs would be tough nuts and it would need a miracle to eke out wins over them. At two-point level the fate of the teams hinged on the decisive second doubles. Saina and Sindhu — playing for the second together in the event — failed to get past fifth ranked pair of Myuki Maeda and Reika Kakitwa as the Japan team burst into celebration after Myuki-Reika won 21-14, 21-11 in 38 minutes.
Saina had brought the first point for the hosts with a rather comfortable 21-12, 21-13 win over Minatsu Mitani, but it was second singles between youngsters P.V. Sindhu and Sayaka Takahashi which had the crowd at edge of their seats. Sindhu came back from a game down to win 19-21, 21-18, 26-24. In the first doubles, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had a chance to seal the issue for India but faltered against the brilliant defence of world No.4 Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi. They lost 12-21, 22-20, 16-21, as Japan took their first point. In an expected result, world No.16 Eriko Hirose levelled the points for Japan with a 21-14, 21-15 win over P.C. Thulasi in the third singles.
Earlier, China’s 10-year reign in the men’s team event was brought to an end by Japan, who sent the defending champions crashing out of the Thomas Cup with a dominant 3-0 scoreline. The women however, kept the flag flying, crushing South Korea 3-0 in their Uber Cup semifinal.
