India made a powerful start in the quarter-final of the Thomas Cup, taking a 2-0 lead against Chinese Taipei in Horsens, Denmark, on Friday.
The Indian team displayed resilience and composure in both the opening singles and doubles matches, putting themselves in a strong position to secure a semi-final berth.
In the first singles match, Lakshya Sen delivered a remarkable performance to defeat Chou Tien Chen in a gripping three-game encounter.
After losing the first game 18-21, Sen staged a dramatic comeback, saving two match points in the second game before clinching it 22-20. He then carried the momentum into the decider, sealing the match 21-17 to give India a crucial early lead.
The match showcased Sen's fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure, setting the tone for the rest of the tie.
India's lead was doubled by the star men's doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who overcame the Taiwanese pair of Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin.
The Indian pair won a closely contested match 23-21, 19-21, 21-12. After narrowly taking the opening game, they lost the second but came back strongly in the decider with dominant play to seal the victory.
With a 2-0 lead, India now needs just one more win to clinch the tie and advance to the semi-finals. All eyes are on the next singles match, where Ayush Shetty is set to face Lin Chun-Yi.
A win in this match would confirm India's progression, while the remaining fixtures provide additional opportunities if required.
If the contest extends further, the doubles pairing of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun will take on Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po-Hsuan.
In the final singles match, experienced shuttler Kidambi Srikanth is scheduled to face Chi Yu Jen.
India's strong opening performances have put them firmly in control of the quarter-final tie. With momentum on their side, the team will aim to seal victory swiftly and continue their campaign in the prestigious tournament.