India’s Saina Nehwal returns a shot to Singapore’s Jia Min Yeo during the women’s singles of Badminton Mixed Team Semifinals. (Source: PTI)
Even though India lost their first match in Commonwealth Games badminton mixed-team event on Sunday when they faced Singapore, they showed clinical performance to deservingly storm into the final, assuring the country of a medal. Saina Nehwal was in her ruthless form as India beat Singapore 3-1 in the semifinals.
Olympic bronze medallist Saina gave a powerful performance to beat Singapore’s Jia Min Yeo 21-8 21-15 and restore confidence to the side after their shock defeat in men’s doubles.
@NSaina She did it ❤️ India into the Finals of Team badmintion event.
Team goals ❤️ Fans #cheering #Love #team India @NSaina #love ❤️❤️😍😍 pic.twitter.com/5wU380Cv8S— Telaprolu Viswanadha (@viswam762) 8 April 2018
“It was expected that we would play in the finals. I never thought they (Singapore) would give us such stiff competition,” she said. “I was actually happy that I could play the match today and make that winning point for the Indian team.”
Debutants Satwik Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty went down 21-17, 19-21, 12-21 against Terry Hee-Danny Bawa Chrisnanta in a 41-minute men’s doubles clash. “We were a bit unfortunate. The tactics that we used didn’t work out for us,” said Shetty.
India’s Srikanth Kidambi returns a shot to Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew during the men’s singles of Badminton Mixed Team Semifinals. (Source: PTI)
Kidambi Srikanth was also tested during his men’s singles clash against Kean Yew Loh but came out victorious 21-17, 21-14. “I think it is always important to have the first set under your belt. It gives you a lot of confidence going into the second set. It is the hard job done if you win the first set,” he said. “Also, to have a 1-0 lead against them (Singapore), meant that the whole team was not depending on me.”
Ashwini-Satwik had to work hard to win 22-17, 21-14 against the Singaporeans in mixed doubles. “Had we lost, we would have been under pressure,” Ashwini said after the match.
Finals tomorrow 👍👍#CommonwealthGames2018 #badminton #Teamchampionships #carrarastadium pic.twitter.com/HkCMos6Xfi
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) 8 April 2018
India will now meet the winner of England vs Malaysia clash in the final on Monday.