Drop-shot now and Takahashi storms back into this game, trails 6-8.
Beautiful drop shot just over the net and out of reach of Sindhu. Takahashi trails 7-8 now.
Smash! And from 2-8 down, Takahashi's made it 8-8 now. Sindhu looks a bit stunned.
She's taken the lead! Hits it straight into Sindhu's body, the Indian can only find the net. Wow, 9-8 to Takahashi.
10-8 now, what a turnaround.
What an insane turnaround from Takahashi — goes into the break 11-8 in the lead after that early debacle.
Finally a point for Sindhu -- she now trails 10-12.
OUT! And Sindhu is not losing this without a fight. Trails 11-12 now.
Lucky... lucky break for Sindhu as the shuttle rolls across the tape and decides to fall in the Japanese's half. 12-12.
That break seems to have done Sindhu good. She's flown out of the blocks! Leads 15-12 now.
Another incredible rally with some excellent shots before Takahashi smashes to end it. Sindhu leads 15-13
Net again! And Sindhu takes a 17-13 lead. She should really fold this match now.
What was that? How did Sindhu miss that one? Takahashi was nowhere and the Indian still hit the net. 17-14.
Another lob and Takahashi gets the point - she's brilliant at these shots. 17-15 to Sindhu at the moment.
Takahashi's cut the lead down, trails 16-17.
Drop shot and Sindhu can't reach it -- draining match, this one. It's 17-17.
PV Sindhu warned for misconduct, said the umpire.
Sindhu challenges, and it's in -- she gets the point and leads 18-17.
Another lob from Takahashi and this one's out -- Sindhu takes the lead, 19-17!
Smashed down the line by Takahashi and she trails 18-19 now. Phew!
And Sindhu decides to lob too -- gets it out and 19-19 now.
Takahashi takes the lead with a shot close to Sindhu's body! Game point for the Japanese. 20-19.
Sindhu's in it! 20-20. Takahashi hit it and Sindhu leaves -- it's gone out.
Drop shot!! Sindhu on the brink -- 21-20. What a match.
And Sindhu's found the net! 21-21.
Takahashi hits it out now! Trails 22-21...
Takahashi smashes, gets the point and 22-22. These two do not want to lose.
Takahashi's smash is OUT... Sindhu leads 23-22.
This time the smash is in — 23-23 as Takahashi and Sindhu battle it out.
Smash from Sindhu - match point No 4 for the Indian now. 24-23.
No, you've got to wait -- Sindhu's hit it out. 24-24 now.
Takahashi tries to drop it, hits the net and Sindhu has match-point No 5 now. 25-24 the scores.
She's done it! Takahashi tries to return an unstoppable smash and hits the net! Sindhu takes the final game 26-24. India lead 2-0 now.
And we're up and away with the first doubles match of the night.
1-1 and both teams warm up.
Jwala leaves and Ashwini's smash goes out -- Japanese lead 3-1.
Right back in it the Indians as Ayaka hits it into the net: 3-3 now.
What a shot from Ashwini! Lines up for a big smash and just drops it near the net. Classy. 4-3 to India.
Oh just couldn't connect with that return, Ashwini — her attempt into the net. 5-5 now.
Cracking smash from Ashwini and that will give India a 7-5 lead.
Two quick points for Japan -- this is good fast badminton. 7-7.
8-8 now — no real trend as yet. The Japanese have targeted Jwala though, it seems.
9-9 now, Indians keeping the rallies short — this Japanese pair likes to play a bit longer.
Oh brilliant from Jwala - so well placed across the court. All wrist-work. 10-10 now.
The Japanese pair go 11-10 up into the break.
