Guangzhou (China), May 11 (IANS) India outclassed Australia 4-1 in their first Group 3 tie of the Sudirman Cup badminton championship here Monday.
India, who are eyeing a promotion to Group 2 in the world mixed team championship, produced a clinical performance. Their only loss came in the women’s doubles where Shruti Kurian and Aparna Balan were pairing for the first time.
The mixed doubles pair of V. Diju and Jwala Gutta gave India a rousing start, dispatching Benjamin Walkate and Kate Wilson Smith 21-19, 21-15 in just 24 minutes.
World No. 12 Chetan Anand showed his class as he thumped Jeff Tho 21-14, 21-14 to make it 2-0 for India.
In men’s doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas faced little difficulty in overcoming Glenn Warfe and Benjamin McCarthy 21-12, 21-15 to win the tie.
Saina Nehwal, World No. 10, took just 20 minutes to trounce Leisha Cooper 21-11, 21-15.
India then fielded the scratch combination of Shruti and Aparna, who lost to Eugenia Tanaka and Kate Wilson Smith 21-16, 19-21, 18-21.
India next play Ukraine who beat Scotland 3-2 in a thriller.
