New Delhi: India's badminton hopes in the ongoing Sudirman Cup in Glasgow, Scotland came to a bitter end when they lost to France in the Division III play-offs of the premier world team championship.
India were missing some of their top shuttlers in the elite tournament, but it was of little consequence as their under-strength team fought hard, although the scoreline read 0-3 against the Indians.
France had qualified as leaders from Group A, while the Indians got through as leaders from Group B. But qualification to Division II of the championship eluded India as they were outplayed in both the men's and women's fixtures.
India's only high point from the Division III whitewash was that all the three games were stretched to the third game.
The mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Aparna Balan won the first game against World No. 21 combination of Stoyanov Svetoslav and Elodie Eymard but finally went down 19-21, 21-19, 21-17, in the match that lasted about 45 minutes.
Top Indian woman shuttler Saina Nehwal, placed 39th in the world rankings, was overpowered by World No. 6 Pi Hongyan 16-21, 21-15, 9-21.
Anup Sridhar, India's prospect in the men's singles, was ousted in three games by Erwin Kehlhoffner 21-11, 11-21, 17-21 in the final rubber.
(With inputs from PTI)
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