India’s women’s badminton team bounced back strongly with a dominant 3-0 victory over Ukraine in their second Group A tie at the Uber Cup Finals on Saturday.
The win came after India’s opening loss to hosts Denmark and keeps their quarterfinal hopes alive ahead of a crucial clash against China.
Unnati Hooda set the tone with a gritty performance, defeating Polina Buhrova 21-19, 22-20 in 46 minutes. Tanvi Sharma followed with a hard-fought three-game battle against Yevheniia Kantemyr, winning 21-12, 17-21, 21-10 in 49 minutes. Devika Sihag sealed the tie with a straight-games victory over Mariia Stoliarenko, clinching 23-21, 21-13 in 38 minutes.
India’s singles dominance ensured an unassailable lead, making the remaining doubles matches inconsequential. The commanding win lifted morale in the camp after the narrow 2-3 defeat to Denmark in the opener.
Ukraine, who had already lost 0-5 to China, now stand virtually eliminated from contention. India, meanwhile, face a decisive test against China on Monday, a match likely to determine their progression to the knockout rounds.
The Uber Cup victory showcased India’s depth in singles, with Hooda, Sharma, and Sihag stepping up under pressure. The result keeps India firmly in the race for the quarterfinals and highlights the team’s resilience after a shaky start.
