Natsu saito

Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships: Last edition's bronze medallists India have bowed out of the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships after losing 3-0 to Japan in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Up-and-coming mixed doubles combination of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto and women’s singles player Malvika Bansod gave their all against much higher-ranked opponents but could not avoid India’s loss against the formidable Japan - winners of the championship in 2017 - in the last eight stage.

Facing the World No. 12 combination of Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito in the first match of the tie, Dhruv and Tanisha forced a decider with a spirited fightback in the second game. But the experienced Japanese combination prevailed in the 61-minute contest 21-13, 17-21, 21-13 to take the lead.