New Delhi:
Saina Nehwal led India to victory over Canada and set up a clash with England which could see the hosts reach the final of the Commonwealth Games badminton team event for the first time.
The only Indian woman ever to win a Super Series title, Nehwal was able to play in second gear much of the time during a 21-16, 21-13 win over Anna Rice which put her team in an unassailable 3-0 lead.
There were moments however when the Canadian played very well, notably when she reduced a seven-point deficit to two in the first game and then remained closely in contention until midway through the second.
"She gave me more to do than I expected and played very well," said Nehwal, who was inundated with requests after her win.
She tried to take it all languidly in her stride, on and off the court, but there were just two moments when her stroke-making talent sharply revealed itself.
One was when she reached 15-11 in the second game with an improbable overhead backhand clear which went for a wrong-footing winner over Rice's head.
And Nehwal followed it with a subtlely disguised lift winner to reach 16-11 and break the back of her opponent's worthy resistance.
"Playing in a team event in India before an Indian crowd feels quite different from what I am used to on tour," said Nehwal.
"I do like that aspect of it very much. It's a proud feeling. And there are all those people whose throats are hurting from cheering so loudly."
A semi-final victory over former champions England, who beat Scotland 3-1, would ensure India a better finish than their previous best, the bronze medal achieved in 2006 in Melbourne.
But Malaysia continue to look odds on favourites to retain the title.
The top-seeded titleholders overcame New Zealand 3-0, with Muhammed Hafiz Hashim taking over the singles spot to keep world number one Lee Chong Wei fresh for the semi-final later in the day.
The former All-England Open champion duly did the business, winning in straight games against Joe Wu and putting Malaysia 2-0 up.
The winning lead was completed in the women's singles by Cheah Li Ya, who won 21-12, 21-11 against Michelle Chan.