India loses to Japan, settle for Uber Cup bronze

Later, World Championship bronze medalist Sindhu managed to only edge past Sayaka Takahashi 19-21, 21-18, 26-24 in a marathon match which lasted an hour and 12 minutes to give India a 2-0 lead. With the win, World No.11 Sindhu levelled her head-to-head to 1-all.

Like in quarterfinal against Indonesia, Sindhu's match once against beyond 70 minutes and like Thursday, she was able to hold her nerve to pull out the match.

But it started going downhill for India thereon as Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa put up a good fight in the first doubles but Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi proved a better combine. The Japanese World No.4 pair won 21-12, 20-22, 21-16.

"I should have played with more positivity. They were under pressure but we gave them chances. I was at the wrong end, both strategically and tactically and was thinking too much. Ashwini was in great form. I should have given her more openings," Jwala said.

World No.16 Eriko Hirose then drubbed P.C. Thulasi 21-14, 21-15 in no time to level the match for the visitors.

In the end, Saina and Sindhu came out in India's last hope to take on Miyuki Maeda and Reika Kakiiwa in the second doubles. But the World No.5 Japanese pair's coordination and experience of playing together proved decisive as they quashed the Indian duo's challenge 21-14, 21-11.

This was the first time India clinched a medal at the prestigious event.