Paralympic Games: Sukant sets up semifinal clash with Suhas in semifinals; Nitesh too win

India's para badminton players secure medals at Paris Paralympics, while Krishna Nagar's title defense ends in injury.

India's Sukant Kadam set up a men's singles SL4 semifinal clash against compatriot Suhas Yathiraj to assure India of a medal in para badminton but Krishna Nagar's title defence ended in agony following an ankle injury at the Paris Paralympics.

There was heartbreak in store for mixed doubles pair of Sivarajan Solaimalai and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan as the second seeded duo squandered an opening game advantage to go down 21-17 14-21 13-21 to USA's Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon in SH6 semifinals on Saturday.

The Indian duo will now play in the bronze medal play off.

Earlier, debutant Sukant thrashed Thailand's Teamarrom Siripong 21-12 21-12 to top group B and will clash with Suhas, a Tokyo silver medallist, in the semifinal to ensure a final finish for India in SL4 class, which is meant for athletes with lower limb impairments and minor balance issues in walking or running.

Nitesh Kumar, who had won a silver medal in the Asian Para Games last year, also qualified for the semifinals of men's singles SL3 category after recording a straight-game win in his last group match.

Nitesh topped Group A after outplaying Mongkhon Bunsun of Thailand 21-13 21-14, notching up his third successive win.

However, it was a heartbreaking end to Krishna's campaign as he twisted his ankle during his must-win SH6 group B match against Thailand's Meechai Natthapong.