Young shuttler Ashmita Chaliha caused an upset by defeating higher-ranked Michelle Mitchell as the Indian women’s team got off to a positive start with a 4-1 win over Canada in the Uber Cup badminton tournament. 53rd ranked Chaliha showed great mental toughness to defeat the Canadian 26-24, 24-22 in the singles match. This match was played for 42 minutes. Women’s doubles pair of Priya and Shruti Mishra, who won the Senior Nationals last December, defeated Katherine Choi Tata and Jessalyn Chow 21-12, 21-10 to give India a 2-0 lead. Ishr. gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead by defeating Wen Yu Zhang 21-13, 21-12. In the other women’s doubles, Simran Sindhi and Ritika Thakar were defeated by Canada’s Jackie Dent and Crystal 19-21, 15-21. National champion Anmol Kharb defeated Aliana Zhang 21-15, 21-11 in the fifth and final match to seal India’s 4-1 win. India will now play Singapore in Group A on Sunday and China on Tuesday.
