Gold Coast (Australia): Spearheaded by PV Sindhu, India are in for a tough challenge as they seek to end their agonising wait for a medal at the Sudirman Cup mixed team championships which start here Sunday.
India, ranked ninth, have managed to reach the knockout stage of the tournament only once during the 2011 edition, while in the last two editions they couldn’t even cross the group stage. This time they have to face the might of Denmark and Indonesia in Group 1D.
India will open their campaign Monday against two-time runners-up Denmark and will be facing former champion and six-time runners-up Indonesia Wednesday.
For India, the best bet would be winning all the three singles matches. However, their hopes took a dent when Saina Nehwal pulled out of the event a week back for rehabilitation of her knee. They would now be hoping that Sindhu and Jayaram win a match each and then the double pair pull off a victory.
“I think we have a good chance, it’s a mixed team event so girls and boys both have to perform well. Saina isn’t playing, but that shouldn’t be any issue. I hope we can win,” a confident Sindhu said here Saturday.
Denmark have World No.3 and No.4 Viktor Axelsen and Jan O Jorgensen respectively in their ranks and it would be a challenge for Jayaram and Singapore Open finalist Kidambi Srikanth to put it past the duo in men’s singles.
Jayaram has a 3-2 record against Axelsen, having beaten him at the Malaysia Open recently, while Srikanth has a 2-2 record against Jorgensen, having lost to him at the Rio Olympics and he would be eyeing revenge.
“It is definitely a tough draw. India’s forte has always been singles but I think our doubles pairs have done reasonably well in the recent past. So I am pretty optimistic,” said Jayaram.
PTI
