Sudirman Cup: Saina Nehwal’s win goes vain as India lose 3-2 to Malaysia

Despite a spirited performance from their shuttlers, India were beaten 2-3 by Malaysia, who won their second straight tie to qualify for the knockouts of the World Mixed Team Badminton Championships for the Sudirman Cup at the Dongfeng Nissan Sports Center here on Monday. India’s best bet Saina Nehwal and the successful pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the two matches for their team.India will play their second and final Group 1D match against South Korea on Wednesday, which will be a virtual knockout with the winner progressing to the quarterfinals. India started on a losing note as men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy went down to Goh V. Shem and Tan Wee Kiong 15-21, 16-21 in 33 minutes. The Malaysian pair levelled their head-to-head to 1-1.However, 44 minutes later, World No.2 Saina defeated Tee Jing Yi 24-22, 21-13 in women’s singles to level the tie at 1-1. This was the Hyderabadi’s second win in as many meetings against Tee. In the crucial men’s singles tie, despite Lee Chong Wei’s rusty form, the two-time Olympic silver medallist trumped World No.4 Kidambi Srikanth 21-16, 21-15 in 40 minutes to help Malaysia take a 2-1 lead in the contest.