Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Jakarta:PV Sindhu scored one of the biggest wins of her career when she stunned London Olympics champion Li Xuerui of China to enter the quarterfinal of the world badminton championships in Jakarta on Thursday. The 11th seeded Sindhu upset third seed Li 21-17, 14-21, 21-17 in a pulsating contest lasting 50 minutes.
Meanwhile, second seed Saina Nehwal kept hopes alive for her maiden podium finish in the world championship by beating Japan’s 14th seed Sayaka Takahashi 21-18, 21-14 in 46 minutes.
It was a come-from behind victory for Saina, who recovered brilliantly from 7-0 down in the first game. In a neck-and-neck contest – it was 18-18 at one stage – Saina won the big points when it mattered.
Sayaka has always been a tough opponent for Saina. In the world championship in Copenhagen last year, Saina had won a three-setter and on Thursday, the second game saw a see-saw battle with both players locked at 13-13. But Saina’s better court craft helped her pull away to a seven-point win (21-14). Saina is likely to face sixth seed Chinese Wang Yihan in the Round of 8. (Kidambi Srikanth Advances in World Badminton Championship)
Sindhu has two world championship bronze medals and is in line for a third. The Hyderabad girl is coming off a long injury layoff and has looked in good touch this week.
The draw will get tougher for Sindhu from here on. If she wins her quarterfinal match, Sindhu could be playing either top seed and All England champion Carolina Marin or seventh seed Chinese Wang Shixian. Carolina of Spain has also made the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 21-11, 18-21, 21-17 win against Yu Po Pai of Taipei.
Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponappa Progress to Quarters
In women’s doubles, the 13th-seeded Indian team of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa got the better of eighth seed Japanese duo of Reika Kakiiwa and Miyuki maeda 21-15, 18-21 and 21-19 to enter the quarterfinals. The match that lasted almost an hour was a thriller with the Indian pair holding their nerves till the end.
