The Indian junior badminton players beat Hong Kong 5-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2023 Badminton Junior Asia Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Saturday. However, later in the day, India lost 0-5 to Malaysia in their final group stage match of the contest.
The draws for the quarter-finals will be conducted on Sunday.
The Indian shuttlers got off to a perfect start against Hong Kong when the mixed doubles pair of Samarveer and Radhika Sharma got the better of Deng Chi Fai and Liu Hoi Kiu Anna with a 21-10, 21-14 victory.
Continuing the momentum was Ayush Shetty and Tara Shah in the singles category, who beat their opponents in contrasting victories. While Shetty comfortably defeated Lam Ka To by 21-14, 21-9, Shah secured a hard-fought win against Liang Ka Wing with a 21-23, 21-16, 21-13 scoreline.
The boys’ doubles team of Nicholas Raj and Tushar Suveer beat their opponents Chung Ching Cyrus and Yung King To by 21-16, 21-17 followed by Srinidhi Narayanan and Sharma who sealed India’s win over Hong Kong by defeating Liang and Liu with a score of 21-12, 21-19.
Later in the day, India’s set of matches against Malaysia all ended in defeat. In the singles matchups, Lakshay Sharma fell short against Eogene Ewe 14-21, 15-21 while Rakshitha suffered a 13-21, 21-5 15-21 defeat against Ong Xin Yee.
Nicholas and Tushar were beaten 12-21, 19-21 against Goonting and Tai in the boys’ doubles whereas Rakshitha and Shriyanshi lost 21-14, 14-21, 12-21 against Ong and Ting. The mixed doubles pair of Samarveer and Radhika were outmatched by 21-18, 15-21, 10-21 against Low and Chong.
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!