India progressed to the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup after a five-year gap on Wednesday despite Indonesia’s stunning 3-2 win against Denmark. The Indians pipped Indonesia on the basis of matches won during the course of the tournament.
Denmark finished on top of the group 1D after winning a total of six games – four against India and two against Indonesia. The Indians booked their place in the last-eight on the back of winning five games to Indonesia’s four.
After a dismal opening in the competition, where they lost 1-4 to Denmark, India bounced back spectacularly against the Indonesians, where they won women’s singles, men’s singles, the mixed doubles and the women’s doubles events to register a comprehensive 4-1 win to keep their qualification hopes alive. India have now set up a meeting with the formidable Chinese, who have been in rampant form during the tournament, trouncing Hong Kong and Thailand by 4-1 and 5-0 margins respectively.
The women’s singles contest, which will be between Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu and Chen Yufei, is expected to be a keenly contested affair. The 19-year-old, ranked World No.13, had stunned Sindhu last month in a three-game encounter in the Malaysia Open.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!