PV Sindhu gave India a strong start, but the team eventually went down 2-3 to hosts Denmark in their Uber Cup Group A opener on Friday, April 24. Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medallist, defeated Denmark’s world No. 21 Line Christophersen 21-13, 18-21, 21-17 to put India ahead 1-0.
However, India lost momentum as Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma were beaten in their respective singles matches, allowing Denmark to take a 2-1 lead. In the must-win doubles rubber, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam went down, as Denmark sealed the tie 3-1.
India did manage a consolation win in the final match, where Tanisha Crasto partnered with Sindhu to reduce the final margin to 2-3.
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HOW SINDHU TOOK DOWN CHRISTOPHERSEN
Sindhu made a measured start before finding her rhythm to secure a hard-fought win, though she was pushed to the limit by Christophersen.
Sindhu opened strongly, taking control of the first game with relative ease. However, Christophersen raised her intensity in the second, going toe-to-toe from 6-6 all the way to 11-11, before edging ahead 16-15 as errors began to creep into Sindhu’s game. The Dane capitalised to level the match and force a decider.
Spurred on by support from the Indian camp, Sindhu regrouped in the third, using her deception and sharp angles to stay in contention. Christophersen initially held a slight edge, leading 4-3 and later 15-12, but Sindhu kept responding under pressure.
At 15-15, momentum shifted again as the Indian drew level before taking control in the closing stages. In a tense finish, Sindhu won six of the last seven points, moving ahead 18-16 before sealing the contest with a powerful body smash followed by a precise down-the-line winner.
INDIA LOSE THEIR WAY
After PV Sindhu gave India an early boost, momentum shifted as the team eventually went down to Denmark.
World No. 3 Unnati Hooda put up a strong fight and even saved multiple match points but narrowly lost 12-21, 23-25 to Denmark’s world No. 26 Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt, a recent European Championships silver medallist.
Tanvi Sharma followed with a 21-19, 16-21, 16-21 defeat to Amalie Schulz after winning the opening game.
In doubles, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam missed two match points before losing a tight 17-21, 21-11, 21-23 contest to Amalie Cecilie Kudsk and Mette Werge.
In the final rubber, Tanisha Crasto and Sindhu secured a consolation win after Denmark’s Alexandra Boje and Christine Busch retired after 36 minutes of play.
India will look to bounce back when they take on Ukraine on Saturday, April 25. They will then face a tougher challenge against China on Monday, April 27.
– Ends
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