Amri syahnawi

Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super: Women's singles star Malvika Bansod and the doubles combination of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto registered contrasting victories to reach the semifinals of Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament here on Friday.

The 22-year-old Malvika, the only Indian women left in the singles draw, defeated Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa of Malaysia 21-12, 21-16 while Ashwini and Tanisha saved four game points in the opening game before getting the better of Indonesia’s Jesita Putri Miantoro and Febi Setianingrum 22-20, 21-16 to make it to the last four stage.

Malvika depended on her strong defence and her ability to engage her opponent in longer rallies in the quarterfinal and will now face Thailand’s Lalinrat Chaiwan, who upset third seed Sung Shuo Yun 21-10, 16-21, 21-16, for a place in the final.