Badminton: Decisive teamwork allows win

Brilliant teamwork by the New Zealand doubles combinations in the mixed team event in Bolton allowed them to beat India 3-2 yesterday and progress to the semifinals, where they are assured of at least a bronze medal.

They play Singapore today in the Bolton Arena for a spot in the gold-silver playoff.

The India rubber was tied 2-2 after New Zealand had won the mixed and men's doubles but lost the two singles matches. All rested on the women's pair of Rhona Robertson and Tammy Jenkins.

That match, against Gutta Jwala and Shruti S. Kurian, was also tied at two games all and it came down to a tense last set.

India broke away to a 3-0 lead, but the experienced New Zealand pair handled the pressure better, supported by a vocal crowd of supporters. They won the set 7-4 to end with a 7-1, 4-7, 7-1, 1-7, 7-4 win.

"We just had to string it out to get the crowd involved," Jenkins quipped after the match.

While there were jubilant scenes from the team and New Zealanders in the crowd, Jenkins said they had to bring themselves down mentally for the semifinal today.

- NZPA

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