Saina Nehwal retires injured, India beat Spain

AARHUS: Saina Nehwal was forced to retire midway through her opening singles but India's young brigade produced a clinical display thereafter to notch a 3-2 victory over Spain and get off to a winning start in the Uber Cup, in Aarhus, Denmark, on Sunday.

Starting the proceedings for India, London Olympics bronze medallist Saina had to concede her match after losing the first game 20-22 to Clara Azurmendi, as she developed discomfort in her groin area.

However, Malvika Bansod ensured the team recovered from the opening rubber reverse, dishing out a 21-13, 21-15 victory over former world No. 20 Beatriz Corrales to level the tie 1-1.

Tanisha Crasto and Rutaparna Panda then produced an equally impressive display, completely outplaying Spain's Paula Lopez and Lorena Usle 21-10, 21-8 in the doubles as India grabbed a 2-1 lead in the five-match rubber.

In the third singles, Aditi Bhatt gave ample display of her talent, besting Ania Setien 21-16, 21-14 to enable India take an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallists N Sikki Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa, however, could not get past the world No. 122 pair of Azurmendi and Corrales, losing 18-21, 21-14, 17-21 in the second women's doubles.

India will face Scotland in their second Group B match on Tuesday.

Saina was forced to walk off the court after feeling a sudden pain in her groin midway through the first women's singles.

"There was a certain catch in my groin. I was surprised at how it happened. I was trying to get back my rhythm and I couldn't get it and I had to give it up because it was hurting when I was taking long lunges," Saina was quoted as saying by olympics.com. Agencies

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