India beat Scots, sets up play-off against France in Sudirman Cup

Glasgow, June 13 (UNI) Indian shuttlers continued their winning spree at the Sudirman Cup here when they recorded their third consecutive win against Scotland to set up a Division III play-off against France.

India, who beat Finland and New Zealand in their earlier group rubbers, were the overwhelming winners against the Scots at the Scotstoun International Sports Arena yesterday. They beat the hosts 4-1 in their last Division III-Group B tie to set up a play-off encounter against France.

If India manage to beat France, they would be promoted to Division II for the first time in the history of the world team championships.

The mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Aparna Balan recovered from an early deficit to overcome Watson Briggs and Imogen Bankier 18-21, 21-16, 21-18 in 46 minutes.

Indian teenage star Saina Nehwal too had to pass through some anxious moments as after winning the opening game, she lost momentum in the second , but came back strongly to get past Susan Hughes 21-15, 19-21, 21-12 in a match that lasted 49 minutes.

Anup Sridhar then sealed the tie for the Indians with a fighting three set win over Craig Goddard. Sridhar had to toil hard after his Scottish opponent who is ranked 30 places below him clinched the first set. But the Indian shuttler took the inititive from there and finished off the match 19-21, 21-7, 21-11 in 44 minutes.

Unlike their previous encounter, the men's doubles pair of Sanave Thomas and Rupesh Kumar comparatively had an easy outing against Briggs and Andrew Browman. The Indian duo outclassed the Scottish pair 21-14, 24-22 after saving game points in the second set.

However, the women's doubles combination of Saina and Aparna lost the final match of the tie against Bankier and Emma Mason 13-21, 21-17, 14-21.

India's next hurdle, France had qualified for the play-offs by topping their group ahead of Canada, USA and Ukraine.

Results: Division 3 Group B: India bt Scotland 4-1: V Diju and Aparna Balan bt Watson Briggs and Imogen Bankier 18-21, 21-16, 21-18; Saina Nehwal bt Susan Hughes 21-15, 19-21, 21-12; Anup Sridhar bt Craig Goddard 19-21, 21-7, 21-11; Thomas Sanave and Rupesh Kumar bt Briggs and Andrew Browman 21-14, 24-22; Saina Nehwal and Aparna lost to Bankier and Emma Mason 13-21, 21-17, 14-21.

UNI