Thomas and Uber Cup: Nehwal-led India crush Aussies 4-1

After slumping to a disappointing defeat against Canada in the opening match of the Thomas and Uber cup, the Indian women's badminton team rebounded strongly to clinch a thumping 4-1 victory over Australia in the second group match here on Tuesday.

Except the first women's doubles match, India won all of their matches in style.

London Olympic bronze-medallist and captain Saina Nehwal kicked off the proceedings with a solid straight games win over Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen. She swept aside her opponent 21-14, 21-19 in a one-sided 35-minute opening match, providing India with a 1-0 lead.

However, Australia managed to equalize to score in the first women's doubles match.

The Australian duo of Gronya Somerville and Renuga Veeran stunned Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha S Ram 21-13, 21-16 in a thrilling clash that lasted half-an-hour to level the score.

Subsequently, Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka bought back India into the contest by hammering Jennifer Tam 21-17, 21-13 in the second women's singles match, followed by the experienced pair comprising of Sanyogita Ghorpade and Prajakta Sawant extending India's lead by beating Louisa Ma and Ann-Louise Slee 21-19, 21-11 in the second doubles match.

The 4-1 victory was finally sealed by 19-year-old Anura Prabhudesai, who overwhelmed Zecily Fung 21-6, 21-7, beating her in just 18 minutes.

The Indian women's badminton team will now square off with top seeds Japan in their next group match on Wednesday.