India fail to advacnce to Div II after going down to France

Glasgow, June 13 (UNI) India's hopes of advancing to the Division II of Sudirman Cup were shattered as they lost their crucial play-off tie against France at the Scotstoun International Sports Arena here.

After an impressive show in the Group stages, where they overcame the challenge from Finland, New Zealand and Scotland, the Indian shuttlers were up with a golden opportunity of getting promoted to the Division II of the world team championships. But the young and inexperienced team succumbed under pressure against the French side and lost the first three matches of the tie to handover France a place in the Division II.

In the mixed doubles, the pair of V Diju and Aparna Balan started of well against Svetoslav Stoyanov and Elodie Eymard and pocketed the first set 21-19. But the French pair pulled up their socks from there and clinched the next two sets 19-21, 17-21 to pocket the first match in 44 minutes.

Indian teenage star Saina Nehwal then went down fighting against Hongyan Pi in a 49-minute engrossing encounter. After losing the first set 16-21, Saina came back strongly to pocket the second 21-15, but lost her momentum in the third and surrendered the set 9-21 to give France a 2-0 advantage.

Down 0-2, India's all hopes of keep the tie alive then rested on the shoulders of Anup Sridhar. But it seemed his shoulders were not strong enough to carry the heavy responsibility burden as he too bowed down fighting against Erwin Kehloffner 21-11, 11-21, 17-21 in 44 minutes.

Results: Play-off: France bt India: V Diju and Aparna Balan lost to Svetoslav Stoyanov and Elodie Eymard 21-19, 19-21, 17-21; Saina Nehwal lost to Hongyan Pi 16-21, 21-11, 17-21; Anup Sridhar lost to Erwin Kehloffner 21-11, 11-21, 17-21 UNI