Thailand trounce India in first Sudirman Cup tussle

Thailand trounce India in first Sudirman Cup tussle

Thailand's world No.3-ranked mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh (left) and Sapsiree Taerattanachai. (Reuters photo)
Thailand's world No.3-ranked mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh (left) and Sapsiree Taerattanachai. (Reuters photo)

Thailand began their Sudirman Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over India in the BWF mixed team world championship in Vantaa, Finland, on Sunday.

Pornpawee Chochuwong, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai and Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai won their matches while men's doubles pair Supak Jomkoh and Kittinupong Kedren were beaten in Thailand's opening Group A tie at Energia Areena.

Women's singles star Pornpawee defeated Malvika Bansod 21-11, 21-14 to put Thailand on level terms with India after Supak and Kittinupong lost the opening match against MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila 21-18, 21-17.

Kunlavut then gave the team a 2-1 advantage after beating Srikanth Kidambi 21-9, 21-19 in the men's singles tie before women's doubles stars Jongkolphan and Rawinda defeated Ashwini Ponnappa and Reddy N Sikki 23-21, 21-8 to give Thailand an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Mixed doubles pair Dechapol and Sapsiree Taerattanachai won the fifth rubber to make it 4-1 as they beat Sai Praneeth B and Tanisha Crasto 21-13, 21-11.

Reigning champions China, who are also in Group A, opened with an easy 5-0 win over hosts Finland.

In another early result, Taiwan defeated Tahiti 5-0 in Group B.

Thailand play Finland while China take on India on Monday.

There are four teams in each of the four groups. The winners and runners-up from each group will progress to the knockout stage.

Thailand reached the semi-finals in 2019 but lost 3-0 to China who went on to claim their 11th title in Nanning.

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