Odisha icon Rutaparna Panda and her Goa partner Tanisha Crasto won their doubles matches against Spain and Scotland to help India reach quarterfinals of the 28th Uber Cup World Team Badminton Championship 2021, which was held at Ceres Arena in Aarhus, Denmark from October 9. However, India bowed out of the tournament, losing to Japan 0-3 in their quarterfinal clash.
India started campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Spain despite Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal conceding her singles match due to groin injury. India booked the last-eight berth, outplaying Scotland 4-1 in the second tie. India will play Thailand on October 13 for a place in the semifinals.
In their last Group-B engagement, Indian women suffered a crushing 0-5 drubbing against a strong Thailand. India replaced Rutaparna and Tanisha with Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy for the doubles match.
INDIA RESULTS:
October 10 (India beat Spain 3-2): Saina Nehwal lost to Clara Azurmendi 20-22 (Conceded). Malvika Bansod beat Beatriz Corrales 21-13, 21-15. Tanisha Crasto-Rutaparna Panda beat Paula Lopez-Lorena Usle 21-10, 21-8. Aditi Bhatt beat Ania Setien 21-16, 21-14. N Sikki Reddy-Ashwini Ponnappa lost to Clara Azurmendi-Beatriz Corrales 18-21, 21-14, 17-21.
October 12 (India beat Scotland 4-1): Malvika Banson lost to Kirsty Gilmour 13-21, 9-21. Aditi Bhatt beat Rachel Sugden 21-14, 21-8. Rutaparna Panda-Tanisha Crasto beat Julie Macpherson-Ciara Torrance 21-11, 21-8. Tasnim Mir beat Lauren Middleton 21-15, 21-6. Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly beat Kristy Gilmour-Eleanor O’Donnell 21-8, 19-21, 21-21-10.
October 13 (India lost to Thailand 0-5): Malvika Bansod lost to Pornpawee Chochowong 15-21 11-21. Ashwini Ponappa-N Sikki Reddy lost to Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 16-21 12-21. Aditi Bhatt lost to Busanan Ongbamrungphan16-21 21-18 15-21. Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand lost to Puttita Supajirakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 17-21 16-21. Tasnim Mir lost to Supaninda Katethong 19-21 15-21.
October 15 (QFs; India lost to Japan 0-3): Malvika Bansod lost to Akane Yamaguchi 12-21, 17-21. Tanisha Carsto-Rutaparna Panda lost to Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto 8-21, 10-21. Aditi Bhatt lost to Sayaka Takahashi 16-21, 7-21.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Rutaparna Panda and Tanisha Crasto after winning their doubles match against Scotland on 12 October 2021.