Hong Kong too good for India

India, led by All England champion Pulella Gopichand, were beaten 1-4 by Hong Kong in the Sudirman Cup world mixed team badminton tournament on Wednesday, ending their hopes of promotion to the second division.

The opportunity of advancement now falls to Hong Kong, who have won all their three round-robin matches in fine style.

They face a promotion match with Canada on Thursday. Elevation to the second division would leave them just one rung below the Elite group.

Gopichand won his singles match against Tam Kai Chuen 15-10, 15-5 to square the tie at 1-1 but defeats in the mixed and women's doubles made the men's doubles match academic.

In the event, Gopichand's partner Markrose Bristow pulled out with cramps after losing the first game 15-13.

Gopichand, 27, who until Monday had not played since winning the All England title in March, said: "We always knew that Hong Kong would be strong in the doubles."

The Indian now turns his attention to next week's World individual championships starting on Monday.

In the Sudirman Cup elite group, China, Indonesia, South Korea and Denmark reached the semi-finals. England and Sweden face a relegation playoff.

Scores:
Group B : India lost to Hong Kong 1-4
B R Meenakshi lost to Chen Wang 7-11, 0-11 in 22 minutes
Pulella Gopichand beat Kai Chuen Tam 15-10, 15-5 in 40 minutes
Chetan Anand and Mahjusha Kanwar lost to Albertus Susanto Njoto and Wai Chee Koon 9-15, 7-15 in 30 minutes
Gutta Jwala and Shruti Kurian lost to Wan Ting Ling and Chen Wang 10-15, 12-15 in 34 minutes
Markose Bristowe and Pulella Gopichand lost to Che Kong Ma and Kwun Yuen Yau 13-15, retired.