Japanese shuttlers dominate

Hyderabad: The closeness with which Chinese men won their campaign opener on Monday was not on show as most of Tuesday’s winners cruised with comfortable margins in the Badminton Asia Team Championships-2016 at GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium.

The Japanese men and women were in equally impressive form as they defeated Nepal and Singapore respectively. It was yet another awful day for the teams Sri Lanka as the men players from the island-nation had nothing to boast of except World No 934 Buwenaka Goonathileka managing to post 21-14, 21-17 win over his World No 65 Malaysian opponent. Malaysia, however, had a 4-1 win.

However, in what was perhaps the biggest surprise of the day Thilini Pramodika Hendahewa defeated Chia Hsin Lee from Chinese Taipei before the latter pulled-off a 4-1 verdict in their favour.

In other matches, The Japanese shuttlers were on song with each displaying admirable form that justified their higher rankings, while Chinese Taipei trounced Maldives 5-0 and Indonesia humbled Thailand 4-1 in the two men’s ties.

Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, who is ranked 36, was the only player to win a match against the Indonesians. India open their campaign against Singapore on Wednesday.