India upset Thailand in Uber Cup
[BADMINTON] SEA Games champions Thailand made a disappointing start in the Uber Cup yesterday, suffering a stunning 3-2 defeat to hosts India in the first preliminary round competition in Jaipur.
The upsets started when world No 50 Aparna Popat upset Thai ace and the 21st ranked Salakjit Polsana 12-21 21-19 21-18. But Thailand fought right back in the first doubles when Saralee Thungthongkam and Sathinee Chankrachangwong trounced Shruti Kurien and Jwala Gutta P 21-11 21-15. The Thai team then went 2-1 up when second singles player Monthila Meemek defeated Trupti Murgurde 21-19 21-15. But India levelled the tie in the second doubles match when BR Meenakshi and Aparna Popat came back from a mid-match lapse to move past Duang-Anong Arunkesorn and Kulchala Woravichi 21-13 16-21 21-15. In the end Saina Nehwal won the deciding singles against Soratja Chansrisukot after the Indian put up a great fight to seal the victory 21-17 22-20. Thailand will play Pakistan today in the second round-robin match in Group Z which also features Malaysia, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong and Singapore. Only the top two finishers from the group will be eligible to compete in the final, which will be held in Sendai, Japan, between April 28 to May 7.
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