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.
Japanese pulling away a bit — 13-10 now courtesy a couple of cracking smashes.
Ponnappa shifts positions and wants to place it just in -- it's gone just out though. India trail 11-14.
Jwala goes for a drop shot, only finds the net -- India trail 11-16.
Oh what a drop shot from Misaki - very deceptive. Japanese lead 18-11 in game one.
Again! Jwala-Ashwini need to close down the area near the net - Ayaka's dropshot gives Japan 19-12 lead.
Japan's Misaki/Ayaka take 1st game 21-12 against Jwala-Ashwini.
Japan take the first two points quickly in game two.
There we go, that's better - nice aggressive point and India are back in it 2-2.
Ashwini just puts her racquet up and manages to cut the shuttle -- it's a point! 3-2 now.
They're going neck and neck in this one too -- 5-5 now.
Excellent smash from Jwala -- the return only finding the net. India lead 6-5.
More strategic there from Jwala and Ashwini — good move putting the Japanese away and Jwala finishing it near the net. 8-6 to India.
Oooh Jwala gives a lot of flight to that one and it's duly punished with a smash by Ayaka. Ind lead 9-8
Brilliant from Ashwini -- zap-zap-zap! Three shots and she finishes with a smash. Ind go into the break leading 11-9.
Unlucky for India as Ayaka's shot rolls over the net and too far for Ashwini. Ind lead 12-11 now.
Excellent reflexes from Ashwini -- makes up for a silly error she made in the previous rally. 13-13 now
Thulasi has kept it quite close in the 2nd match and Hirose has started making some unforced errors. Thulasi trails 9-10 now.
Hirose pulling away now: 14-10
Hirose may be the better player no doubt, but Thulasi is not losing without a fight. Wins two points to make it 12-14.
Great return from Hirose -- Thulasi dives to save it but the point was gone as soon as the racquet hit the shuttle. Thulasi trails 13-18 now.
That's it! Japan make it 2-2 from behind. Hirose beats Thulasi 21-14, 21-15.
It's mouth-watering now... Saina and Sindhu to pair up!!
Sindhu gets all the returns in the first point -- hits it over and out.
Excellent coordination so far. Saina more vocal, buoying Sindhu to smash and grab the points.
There we go! India make it 4-4 — Sindhu's return lures the smash which hits the net.
Oh what a smash from Sindhu - lands right at the edge and inside. Ind 5-4.
6-5 now to India after another point. Saina serves...
Smash from Saina hits Miyuki like a bullet. What a point that is. Saina-Sindhu lead 8-5.
Another smash-point - this time Sindhu with three in a row - the third one getting the point. 9-8 the lead.
