By IANS,
Guangzhou (China): India trounced Bulgaria 3-0 in a Group 3 play-off to secure a promotion to Group 2 of the Sudirman Cup badminton championship here Thursday.
This is the first time that India qualified to Group 2 of the world mixed team badminton championship since the tournament started in 1989.
India were in terrific form in the tournament and topped Group 3B winning all three ties to reach the promotional play-off.
Bulgaria, who emerged as the Group 3A topper with two wins, had no answers to the in-form Indian shuttlers.
Saina Nehwal outclassed Linda Zetchiri 21-14, 21-17 in the women’s singles.
In men’s doubles, Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas got the better of Vladimir Metodiev and Yulian Hristov 21-13, 21-11.
Arvind Bhat, however, faced a tough time against Krasimir Yankov in the men’s singles. Bhat lost the first game but recovered in time to prevail 16-21, 21-19, 21-19 and wrap up victory for India.
In the last edition in 2007, India reached the promotional play-off with a depleted side but lost to France.