SPORTS

Indian shuttlers top group

March 21, 2003 13:15 IST

India finished on top of Group 3A after defeating Wales 4-1 in their last group match, in the Sudirman Cup, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, on Thursday.

India now will play Russia in the qualifying match to progress to Group 2, on Friday. Russia topped Group 3B, defeating Norway 5-0, the United States 4-1 and Finland 4-1.

Jaseel P Ismail and B R Meenakshi gave India a good start, defeating Matthew Hughes and Joanne Muggeridge 11-6, 11-8 in the mixed doubles.

India No. 1 Pulella Gopichand then made it 2-0, staging a strong rally to defeat Richard Vaughan 12-15, 15-4, 15-0 after losing the first set in the singles tie.

Wales salvaged some pride when Kelly Morgan thrashed India No. 1 Aparna Popat 11-1, 11-5 in the women's singles.

India then wrapped up the match with both their doubles combinations winning easily.

Markose Puthenp Bristow and Rupesh Kumar got the better of Martyn Lewis and Irwansyah 15-6, 15-7 in the men's match while in the women's doubles, Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurian defeated Joanne Muggeridge and Felicity Gallup 11-0, 11-2.

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