Thomas and Uber Cup: Disappointing start for India

Ajay Jayaram’s gallant fight ended in a defeat in the first match as India suffered a 1-3 loss against Thailand in their Thomas Cup opener at Kunshun, China, on Sunday.

Jayaram, the world no. 21, began the proceedings against Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensom-boonsuk but suffered a mid-match collapse to lose 16-21, 21-12, 14-21 in a 46-minute men’s singles clash.

The Olympic bound pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy suffered a 17-21, 6-21 loss to Bodin Issara and Nipitphon Puangpuapech in the doubles as India slipped to a 0-2 deficit.

In the second men’s singles, B. Sai Praneeth notched up a 21-11, 21-16 win against Khosit Phetpradab to make the scores 1-2, but Akshay Dewalkar and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s 15-21, 21-14, 15-21 loss to the pair of Puavaranukroh Dechapol and Kedren Kittinupong gave Thailand an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Thus, the fifth tie between Sourabh Varma and Adulrach Namkul was inconsequential.

India next take on Hong Kong on Tuesday.

China dominate group play Meanwhile, the Chinese men’s and women’s teams defeated their opponents handily in commanding 5-0 wins during the opening round of group play.

In early Thomas Cup action, top-ranked shuttler Chen Long led the Chinese men’s squad in a rout over Mexico with a dominating 21-12, 21-7 performance against Lino Munoz, while world no. 6 Tian Houwei finished off Job Castillo 21-7, 21-12

In doubles action, Hong Wei and Zheng Siwei swept Lopez Andres and Luis Ramon Garrido 21-12, 21-15, and Li Junhui amd Liu Yuchen starched Munoz and Castillo, 21-3, 21-9, in 32 minute flat.

In the Uber Cup, China swept Malaysia, thanks to stellar performances from world no. 3 Li Xuerui and no. 4 Wang Yihan, who dispatched their challengers in straight sets.