India stunned Thailand to reach the semi-finals of the BWF Uber Cup ©BWF

India stunned Thailand with a 3-1 victory to reach the semi-finals of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Uber Cup at the Kunshan Sports Centre in China today.

World number two and defending champion Ratchanok Intanon had got Thailand off to the best possible start by beating Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal 21-12, 21-19 in 41 minutes.

India, attempting to reach the last four of the tournament for the second competition in a row, roared back as P.V. Sindhu cruised to a 21-18, 21-7 success against Busanan Ongbumrungphan to level proceedings at 1-1.

Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa then edged India ahead for the first time in the contest, overcoming Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-19, 21-12.

The surprise victory for the Indian contingent was then complete as outsider Ruthvika Shivani Gadde, currently ranked at number 119 in the world, shocked Nitchaon Jindapol, who sits 94 places ahead of her in the standings, with a 21-18, 21-16 triumph.

India are due to take on China, who swept aside Chinese Taipei 3-0, in the semi-finals.

The other encounter will be between Japan and South Korea, who proved too strong for Denmark and Indonesia respectively, both progressing by virtue of 3-0 wins.

“I don’t know how I did it,” said Shivani.

“This morning my coach told me to relax, that there was nothing to lose and no pressure on me.”

India's recovered to beat Indonesia 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Uber Cup despite Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal suffering defeat to world number two Ratchanok Intanon in the opening match ©BWF
India's recovered to beat Indonesia 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Uber Cup despite Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal suffering defeat to world number two Ratchanok Intanon in the opening match ©BWF

In the Thomas Cup, the men’s equivalent of the Uber Cup, Indonesian world champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan were also on the receiving end of a giant-killing as they were beaten 21-17, 21-19 by Hong Kong’s Or Chin Chung Tang Chun Man in the second match of their quarter-final clash.

Fortunately, their defeat did not cost their country as Jonatan Christie battled long and hard against veteran Hu Yun before sealing a 21-14, 18-21, 21-16 win.

Indonesia’s place in the last four was then confirmed when mixed doubles pair Angga Pratama and Ricky Karanda Suwardi defeated Law Cheuk Him and Yeung Shing Choi 21-16, 21-14.

Their opponents in the semi-final will be South Korea, who edged China 3-1, while Malaysia will take on Denmark.

The Danes just about squeezed through to the last four at the expense of Japan with a narrow 3-2 success, while Malaysia accounted for Chinese Taipei 3-1.

Action at the tournament is due to continue tomorrow.