Asian Games: India, Malaysia Reach Women's Team Badminton Quarterfinals

NAGOYA (Japan), Sept 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- India's PV Sindhu cruised to victory as India swept Kazakhstan 3-0 to reach the women's team badminton quarterfinals at the Asian Games on Sunday, while Malaysia advanced after beating Hong Kong, China in the same score, Xinhua reported.

Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medalist, opened the round of 16 tie with a dominant 21-7, 21-9 win over Kamila Smagulova in just 24 minutes. Unnati Hooda followed with a 21-7, 21-10 victory against Alissa Kuleshova, and Tanvi Sharma completed the sweep by defeating Diana Namenova 21-5, 21-10.

India's doubles pairs were not needed.

The result sets up a quarterfinal clash against host Japan on Tuesday. India has won only one medal in the women's team event at the Asian Games, a bronze in 2014.

"A lot of girls are playing at the Asian Games for the first time. I would tell them what is good and what mistakes they are making. Being an experienced player, I think that is a responsibility," the 31-year-old Sindhu said.

Malaysia also reached the quarterfinals after defeating Hong Kong, China 3-0. Karupathevan Letshanaa beat Lo Sin Yan 21-9, 21-16 in the opening singles match-up. World No. 5 pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan followed with a 21-11, 21-17 win over Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam in doubles. Wong Ling Ching sealed the victory in the third singles match by 21-17, 21-14 over Liang Ka Wing.

Malaysia will face defending champion South Korea in the quarterfinals.

Indonesia also advanced with a 3-0 win over Mongolia. 

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA