There was hope and heartbreak for Indian fans as shuttler Sukant Kadam made it to a men's singles SL4 semifinal clash against compatriot Suhas Yathiraj to assure India of a medal in para badminton even as Krishna Nagar crashed out of the competition because of ankle injury and was unable to defend his title at the Paris Paralympics.
In women's matches Mandeep Kaur entered the quarterfinals of the women's singles SL 3 category after defeating Australia's Vinot Celine Aurelie in the women's singles SL 3 event on Saturday.
There was disappointment too as mixed doubles pair of Sivarajan Solaimalai and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan went down 21-17 14-21 13-21 to USA's Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon in SH6 semifinals on Saturday.
The Indian duo will now play in the bronze medal play off.
Kadam defeated Thailand's Teamarrom Siripong 21-12 21-12 to top group B and will clash with Tokyo silver medallist Suhas in the semifinal to ensure a final finish for India in SL4 class.
Athletes with lower limb impairments and minor balance issues while walking or running play in the SL4 class.
Nitesh Kumar, who had won a silver medal in the Asian Para Games last year, also qualified for the semifinals of men's singles SL3 category after recording a straight-game win in his last group match.
In SL3 class is meant for players with severe lower limb disability competing on half-width court, the top two finishers from each of the two groups qualify for the semifinals.
Kumar topped Group A after outplaying Mongkhon Bunsun of Thailand 21-13 21-14, notching up his third successive win.
Huge disappointment marked Nagar's campaign as he twisted his ankle during his must-win SH6 group B match against Thailand's Meechai Natthapong.
Losing earlier to Miles Krajewski, Nagar had to win the match with a good point difference to stay in the hunt but he was injured even as he lagged 20-22 3-11 and was forced to retire.
"I had to win in straight games to reach knockout, but I lost the opening game but luck hasn't been on my side. My ankle twisted in second game, so I had to retired. I will try to comeback stronger next time," Nagar said after the match.
For Kadam, this was his second consecutive win in the three-player group.
"It's my debut tournament. I am so happy to qualify for the semifinals," said the player who won a bronze in the Asian Para Games last year.
"I was well prepared for today's game. The first match was much tougher than this. And against him (Siripong) I have played plenty of times and I was very confident. So, I wanted to go one point at a time and then I played really well." In the men's SL4 competition, only the toppers from each of the four groups qualify for the semifinals.
Mandeep Kaur regrouped to win her last group B match 21-23 21-10 21-17 against her Australian rival. She had lost her opening match to Nigeria's Bolaji Mariam, PTI reported.
The Indian finished second in the three-player group B to book a quarterfinal spot. Mariam topped the group to enter the semifinals.
The toppers of group A and C directly advanced to the semifinals. The top two teams in group B as well as second-place finishers in group A and C compete in the quarterfinal for the two remaining semifinal spots.
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