Match 1: Saina Nehwal vs Nozomi Okuhara
The biggest match of the lot will kickstart this Uber Cup tie between the two teams and goes without saying that both will be looking to give their respective sides a good start.
It will be Saina to serve.
Okuhara with the early advantage. Leads 2-0.
Saina’s judgement seems a bit off the boil. 3-0 down.
This time she gets it right. 1-3.
Also read: Thomas and Uber Cup 2016:India vs Thailand Quarterfinal: Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa vs Puttita Supajirakul/Sapsiree Taerattanachai (1-1): Live badminton score updates (Today’s Match)
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Okuhara has begun well here. 4-2 up.
5-3 in favour of Okuhara
Lovely down the line hit from Okuhara. Makes it 7-3.
Much-needed point for Saina. 4-7
Another unforced error. Saina lets out a “COME ON”. 5-7
Saina continues to remain in the hunt. 6-8
Long from Okuhara and Saina has cut the lead to 1. 7-8
And we are level. 8-8. Three straight points.
9-9. Saina’s movements around the court have been good today.
10-10. Already a very exciting contest seems to be emerging.
At the interval in the opening game, Saina trails Okuhara 10-11.
11-11. Early points will be vital for the Indian.
A lovely drop gives Okuhara the lead before Saina pulls a superb shot of her own. 12-12.
Saina in the lead now. 13-12.
Okuhara attacks the body and levels it at 13-13
An unforced error from Saina gives Okuhara the lead. 14-13
The Japanese girl is edging forward here. 15-13.
Another unforced error. 16-13.
16-14.Can Saina get a cluster of points of her own?
17-14
Saina’s reach has been good today.17-15.
Difference only 2.Vital phase in the game this.
Another lovely cross-court drop shot from Okuhara. 18-15.
18-16.Long from Okuhara on that occasion.
Lead cut to one. 17-18
Its 18-18.
Saina in the lead now. 19-18.
2 game point opportunities for the Indian.
Game 1 goes to Saina Nehwal. 21-18
Its 1-1 in the second game
Saina takes the early lead. 2-1.
Saina has begun this second game well. Up 4-2
Wide from Okuhara. She has looked oddly wayward today. Saina up 5-2 now.
Wide from Okuhara again. 7-3.
Saina leading 8-4 now.
Another mishit.Okuhara really struggling here. 9-4
At the interval in the second game, Saina Nehwal leads Nozomi Okuhara 11-4
Okuhara with the first points after the break. 5-11
Long again from Okuhara. 13-5.
Another wide hit. 16-6.
18-6. Saina on fire here. Absolute fire.
19-6.
14 match point opportunities for Saina.
Done and dusted folks. Saina Nehwal makes it 1-0 for India, beats Nozomi Okuhara 21-18 21-6.
What a win from the World Championships silver medalist. Looked very assured and confident around the court.
Also read: Thomas and Uber Cup 2016: India beat Thailand 3-1 in Quarterfinal: Live score badminton updates (Today’s Match)
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2016 Thomas and Uber Cup that is being held in the city of Kunshan in China. Both the Men’s and the Women’s team will be playing their final Group matches today.
The Men’s team will take on Indonesia but our focus will be on the Women’s fixture with the Indians finally put to their first full test against a strong Japanese side led by reigning All England champion Nozomi Okuhara. You can catch all the updates LIVE here.
The Saina Nehwal-led side has been in roaring form in the competition so far, with neither her nor PV Sindhu having lost a game thus far and the third Women’s Singles player- Ruthvika Shivani Gadde has also so looked comfortable in whatever matches that she has played.
The experienced doubles pairing of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won a three-game contest on Tuesday against the German pair while the most thrilling contest of the day came in the second Women’s Doubles tie when Sikki Reddy and Sindhu pulled off a terrific game win over Hertrrich and Volkmann to ensure that the Indians win 5-0 yet again on a second consecutive day.
The last time these tow teams met, it proved to be a very exciting contest with Japan prevailing 3-2 and India will hope to avenge that defeat in 2014 and end the group stage as the toppers.
There is little doubt that three Singles rubbers would be vital and India would ideally hope to win two out of three and then the doubles pairing will have to take up the mantle and help their side enter the quarterfinals on a positive note.
