India were defeated 3-0 by tournament favorites China in the semi-finals of Uber Cup on Friday. 13 time champions and top seeded in this tournament, China will face the winner of the other semi-final between Korea and Japan.
Saina Nehwal began proceedings for India in a thriller lasting an hour and four minutes. Losing the first set 15-21 to Li Xuerui, she fought back well and won the second set 21-12.
She again fell short in the third set losing 17-21. It was Saina’s eighth successive defeat against the Chinese sensation.
With China leading 1-0, the task of leveling things lied on the confident shoulders of PV Sindhu, who entered into this game undefeated in the Uber Cup, 2016. However, this steak didn’t last long as she was defeated by World No. 6 Shixian Wang 13-21, 21-23 in a game lasting 50 minutes.
India had to win all three if the remaining games as Jwala Gutta and N Sikki Reddy entered the court to face the Chinese pair if Tian Qing and Yunlei. The Indian pair was easily beaten in straight sets of 21-6, 21-6.
The remaining games were cancelled as China took am unassailable 3-0 lead.
Despite the defeat India will not returned empty handed as they were guaranteed a Bronze medal after defeating Thailand in the quarterfinals. India won the Bronze in the last edition of the tournament as well