India rolled over Australia 4-1 in their Group 3 (sub-group 3B) opener in their quest for promotion to Group 2.
India raced ahead to victory in the first four matches before Shruti and Aparna went down.
The mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta gave India the lead, defeating Benjamin Walkate and Kate Wilson Smith 21-19, 21-15 in 25 minutes.
Chetan Anand then worked his magic with the shuttle as he dispatched Jeff Tho 21-14, 21-14 in just 26 minutes to give his team 2-0 lead.
India went up 3-0 when the men’s doubles pair of Sanave Thomas and Rupesh Kumar needed 27 minutes to defeat Glenn Warfe and Benjamin Mccarthy 21-12, 21-15.
With victory secured, Saina Nehwal turned on her style, giving Leisha Cooper a lesson in badminton as she raced to a 21-11, 21-5 win in just 20 minutes.
Saina registered seven consecutive points in the first game and 12 in the next to make it a no contest.
Powerful smashes
Her powerful smashes were too much for the Aussie, as the Indian warmed up for Tuesday’s clash against Ukraine. Chetan, however, took some time to warm up and then took the match away from Tho, with his good net play and strong smashes.
The mixed doubles pair and the men’s doubles team too didn’t have to break much sweat as they coasted to victory.
Shruti and Aparna, teaming up for the first time in a major tournament after the former’s fallout with regular partner Jwala, were not up to scratch as they went down 21-16, 19-21, 18-21 to Eugenia Tanaka and Smith.
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