<p>Indian women’s badminton team assured itself of at least a bronze medal after notching up a comfortable 3-1 win over Thailand in the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup on Thursday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Indian women’s team had created history in the last edition when it clinched a historic bronze in New Delhi after losing to Japan in the semifinals.<br /><br />On a day when India’s top shuttler Saina Nehwal bit the dust against 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon in the first singles, P V Sindhu and the pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa took the responsibility on themselves and won the second singles and first doubles.<br /><br />It was young shuttler Ruthvika Shivani Gadde who sealed the win for India after she dished out a superb game to outclass Nitchaon Jindapol in the second singles. <br /><br />India will take on China in the semifinals on Friday.<br /><br />Olympic bronze-medallist Saina could not breach the defence of World No 2 Ratchanok, who notched up a 21-12, 21-19 win over the Indian to give Thailand a 1-0 lead. It was World No 8 Saina’s fifth defeat to the Thai girl. Sindhu brought India back in the hunt after registering a 21-18, 21-7 victory over Busanan Ongbumrungphan in the second singles of the day. In the first doubles, Jwala and Ashwini prevailed 21-19, 21-12 over Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in a 39-minute clash to make it 2-1 for India.<br /><br />Ruthvika was then given the responsibility of taking India home and the 19-year-old showed her prowess with a 21-18, 21-16 win over World No 25 Nitchaon in a 41-minute third singles to seal the victory for India.<br /><br />"We thought we had less of a chance after Saina losing," said Shivani. "Our first step was to beat the Thai team... so we'll decide what to do (in the semis) now."<br /><br />Easy win for China<br /><br />China drubbed Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the other last-eight clash. <br /><br />Li Xuerui got her team off to positive start, clinching a 21-14, 21-17 win over Pai Yu Po. <br />China made it 2-0 when Wang Shixian defeated Hsu Ya Ching 21-16, 21-12. <br /><br />They clinched the deal, following a 21-11, 21-14 victory by Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei over Hsieh Pei Chen and Wu Ti Jung. <br /><br />Lee stars for Malaysia<br /><br />In the Thomas Cup, Lee Chong Wei led Malaysia into the semifinals where they will face Denmark.<br /><br />Lee, the world number two, kick-started Malaysia's effort as he beat Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-18.<br /><br />Afterwards Lee brushed off suggestions that pressure was mounting on Malaysia's men they seek to end their 24-year drought at the world team championships.<br /><br />"A win for today and then I'll focus on tomorrow," said Lee, who is eyeing a maiden Olympic title in Rio.<br /><br />Afterwards Lee brushed off suggestions that pressure was mounting on Malaysia's men they seek to end their 24-year drought at the world team championships. Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin thrashed Hsu Jen-hao before doubles team Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong won the decisive match as Malaysia clinched it 3-1.<br /><br />Indonesia also reached the Thomas Cup semis thanks to strong singles performances from Tommy Sugiarto and Jonatan Christie as they sent Hong Kong packing 3-1. The Indinesian outfit take on Korea with beat top seeds China 3-1. This was the first time since 1982 that China has fail to be placed among top four. <br /></p>
<p>Indian women’s badminton team assured itself of at least a bronze medal after notching up a comfortable 3-1 win over Thailand in the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup on Thursday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Indian women’s team had created history in the last edition when it clinched a historic bronze in New Delhi after losing to Japan in the semifinals.<br /><br />On a day when India’s top shuttler Saina Nehwal bit the dust against 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon in the first singles, P V Sindhu and the pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa took the responsibility on themselves and won the second singles and first doubles.<br /><br />It was young shuttler Ruthvika Shivani Gadde who sealed the win for India after she dished out a superb game to outclass Nitchaon Jindapol in the second singles. <br /><br />India will take on China in the semifinals on Friday.<br /><br />Olympic bronze-medallist Saina could not breach the defence of World No 2 Ratchanok, who notched up a 21-12, 21-19 win over the Indian to give Thailand a 1-0 lead. It was World No 8 Saina’s fifth defeat to the Thai girl. Sindhu brought India back in the hunt after registering a 21-18, 21-7 victory over Busanan Ongbumrungphan in the second singles of the day. In the first doubles, Jwala and Ashwini prevailed 21-19, 21-12 over Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in a 39-minute clash to make it 2-1 for India.<br /><br />Ruthvika was then given the responsibility of taking India home and the 19-year-old showed her prowess with a 21-18, 21-16 win over World No 25 Nitchaon in a 41-minute third singles to seal the victory for India.<br /><br />"We thought we had less of a chance after Saina losing," said Shivani. "Our first step was to beat the Thai team... so we'll decide what to do (in the semis) now."<br /><br />Easy win for China<br /><br />China drubbed Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the other last-eight clash. <br /><br />Li Xuerui got her team off to positive start, clinching a 21-14, 21-17 win over Pai Yu Po. <br />China made it 2-0 when Wang Shixian defeated Hsu Ya Ching 21-16, 21-12. <br /><br />They clinched the deal, following a 21-11, 21-14 victory by Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei over Hsieh Pei Chen and Wu Ti Jung. <br /><br />Lee stars for Malaysia<br /><br />In the Thomas Cup, Lee Chong Wei led Malaysia into the semifinals where they will face Denmark.<br /><br />Lee, the world number two, kick-started Malaysia's effort as he beat Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-18.<br /><br />Afterwards Lee brushed off suggestions that pressure was mounting on Malaysia's men they seek to end their 24-year drought at the world team championships.<br /><br />"A win for today and then I'll focus on tomorrow," said Lee, who is eyeing a maiden Olympic title in Rio.<br /><br />Afterwards Lee brushed off suggestions that pressure was mounting on Malaysia's men they seek to end their 24-year drought at the world team championships. Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin thrashed Hsu Jen-hao before doubles team Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong won the decisive match as Malaysia clinched it 3-1.<br /><br />Indonesia also reached the Thomas Cup semis thanks to strong singles performances from Tommy Sugiarto and Jonatan Christie as they sent Hong Kong packing 3-1. The Indinesian outfit take on Korea with beat top seeds China 3-1. This was the first time since 1982 that China has fail to be placed among top four. <br /></p>