Match 3: Jwala Gutta/Sikki Reddy vs Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei
What a morning it's been so far and India will rue a few missed opportunities and are staring a semifinal exit unless Jwala Gutta and Sikki Reddy can win the third tie. It has nevertheless already been a fighting performance from India, but can they keep the tie alive with a win?
Jwala to serve.
1-1.
Bad start for India. 1-4
Far from ideal start for India. Trail 2-7
At the interval in the opening game Jwala and Sikki trail 3-11
As one-sided as it gets. Jwala and Sikki trail 3-15
4-19.
15 game point opportunities.
Game to the Chinese pair. Meek performance so far. 21-6
1-1 in the second game.
The Chinese pair lead 4-2.
Its 3-7 in favour of the Chinese pair.
At the interval in the second game, Jwala and Sikki trail 3-11.
5-13 against the Indian pair.
4 points away from a win.
That’s done and dusted folks. 21-6. India bow out 3-0 in the semifinals of the Uber Cup to China.
Match 2: PV Sindhu vs Wang Shixian
After that pulsating opening contest, PV Sindhu has a lot of work ahead of her to ensure India stay in this tie. She has looked good in this competition so far and will need to put in her very best and keep India in contention.
Wang to serve.
1-1
Wang takes the early lead. Up 3-2.
Wang leads 5-3.
Unforced error from Sindhu makes it 3-6 against her
Sindhu on the backfoot here. Down 3-7
Lead cut to 3. 5-8
9-6 in favour of Wang.
Superb drop shot from Wang. Leads 10-6.
At the interval, Wang leads Sindhu 11-6.
Wang leads 12-8 after the break. Vociferous crowd backing the home favourite.
Sindhu unable to reach down on that occasion. Trails 9-13
Sindhu now in double digits. 10-13.
The Indian trails by 4 points. 11-15.
Sindhu trails by 5 points now.11-16
Yet another unforced error. Evident that Sindhu is feeling the pressure here. 12-17
Long from the Indian. 18-12
7 game point opportunities.
That’s the game. Wang Shixian takes the opening game 21-13.
The opening few points will be very important for PV Sindhu in the second game.
Good start for the Indian in the second game. 2-0.
Good start for the Indian in the second game Up 5-1.
Sindhu has challenged it. and it is OUT. 4-7.
Terrific play from the Indian. Up 9-4
At the interval in the second game, Sindhu leads Wang 11-4.
Sindhu has a 9 point advantage in this second game. leads 14-5.
9 point advantage. 17-8
Challenge from Sindhu. It has been called IN.
It is OUT. Successful challenge.18-8
Three straight points for Wang. 11-18
Got a bit interesting here. 14-18.
3 points the difference.
What a sterling comeback from Wang Shixian! Cut the lead to 2.
Phew! Much needed for Sindhu. 19-16
3 game point opportunities for Sindhu
Wang saves 1. 20-18.
That is WIDE. Its 20-20. WOWOWOWOW!
Game point opportunity for Sindhu.
Saves it. 21-21
What an amazing rally. Its Match point for Wang.
Thje contest ends with Wang winning the second game 23-21. What a match of badminton.
Match 1: Saina Nehwal vs Li Xuerui
After her loss on Thursday, Saina Nehwal will hope to reverse that result when she faces up against Li Xuerui. Past head-to-head doesn’t give a good reading(Li leads 11-2) but on her day, the Indian has the capability of defeating anybody. Can she get India off to a good start?
The players walk out to the court.
Li Xuerui to serve.
Challenge on the 1st point from Saina.
Bad start for Saina. It is indeed OUT.
It is 2-2.
Good down the line smash from the Indian. 3-3
Vital point for Saina. A Superb rally ends with a wide hit from Li. 4-3
Saina has the early upper hand here. Leads 7-4
8-4.
Good cross court drop shot from Li. 8-5
Like against Okuhara, Saina’s movements looking good here. Saina leads 10-6
Just out. 10-7
Gap down to 2. 10-8
10-9.
10-10. Good comeback fro Li.
At the interval, Saina Nehwal leads Li Xuerui 11-10.
Li leads 12-11.
The errors creeping in a bit. 13-11
The smash aimed at the body and Li leads 14-11
The gap has been cut to 1. 14-13
Challenge from Li. And it is indeed OUT. Its 15-14
Li 4 points away from taking the opening game. Vital phase in the game for the Indian.
The tide has turned and Saina needs to lift her game and quickly.
Unforced errors not helping Saina’s cause. Its 19-14.
19-15
5 game point opportunities for Li.
Game for Li Xuerui. 21-15
The early points in this second game absolutely vital for Saina.
Wide from Saina. 0-1
2-1 in favour of Li
Saina on the backfoot here. Down 1-4.
Long from Li. 3-6.
Gap down to 2. 4-6.
Cut to 1.
We are back on level terms. 6-6
Saina in the lead. 7-6.
Successful challenge from Li. 7-7
The Indian back in front. 8-7
Unforced error from Li. Makes it 9-8 for Saina.
At the interval in the second game, Saina leads 11-8.
Good start after the interval. 12-8
13-8. Another unforced error from Li.
Saina leads 15-8
17-8. What a comeback this is!
This is good work from the Indian. She leads 18-10.
The decider looks well and truly on.
19-10
Long from Saina. 19-11
9 game point opportunities for Saina.
Li saves 1. 12-20.
That's the game. Saina wins the second game 21-12 and we are heading into a decider.
The early points in this decider will be absolutely vital for both. Can Saina sustain the momentum?
Li begins well. 0-1
Li leads 2-1
Good start from Li in the third game Leads 4-1.
Much needed point for Saina. 4-2.
Madhumita Bisht is seen whistling in the stands.
Wide from Li. 5-4
Shot! Shot! Shot from Saina. Takes the lead. 6-5.
Saina in front again. 7-6.
Two point advantage. 8-6
8-7.
Superb hit cross court, very little time to react for Li. 9-7.
9-9
At the interval in the decider, Saina leads Li 11-9
Lead cut to one. 11-10
That’s IN and its 11-11.
Saina in front again. 12-11
Well in from Saina. It’s 13-11.
Its 13-13.
Unforced error from Saina. 14-13
Li in front by 2. 15-13. Vital phase in the game.
Li 5 points away from making it 1-0 for China.
Challenge from Li.
That’s OUT. Can Saina make the most of this opening?
17-14.
The match seems to have slipped out of her hand. Is there one last twist left here?
19-15.
19-16.
Cut to 2. 19-17.
3 Match point opportunities for Li.
There’s the match for Li. Wins the decider 21-17 and China lead 1-0
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the 2016 Thomas and Uber Cup that is presently being played at the Kunshan Sports Complex in China. It is semifinal day today in the competition and after a terrific performance against Thailand in the quarterfinals, the Indian Women’s team will be facing their toughest test today as they face up to China in the final four stage of the competition. You can catch all the LIVE updates here.
Saina Nehwal didn’t have the greatest of matches on Thursday, losing in straight games to Ratchanak Intanon, even as during the latter stages of the match she did put up a good fight, which went in vain eventually.
PV Sindhu brought India back into the contest with a commanding win over Busanan Ongbumrungphan and then Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa also won their contest in straight games to make it 2-1m for India.
However, the surprise of the day arrived courtesy 19-year-old Ruthvika Shivani Gadde, who defeated Nitchaon Jindapol, an opponent ranked 98 places above her to seal the tie and set up a contest against the hosts.
