With this 2-3 defeat, the Indian women's team fate now depends on rankings of European qualifiers' fourth-place finishers Holland and some myriad calculations.World number seven Saina got rid off 24th ranked Ai Goto 21-17 21-16 in 30 minutes to give India a headstart.
But the doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa lost to World number seven Fujii Mizuki and Kakiiwa Reika 16-21 15-21 in 32 minutes.Sayali Gokhale was handed the task of beating world number 18 Hirose Eriko but despite putting up a gallant fight, she lost 20-22 13-21 in 33 minutes.
National champion Trupti Murgunde then again raised some hope of an upset as she defeated Hirayama Yu 21-8 21-16 in the fourth match.
In the decider, Saina teamed up with Aparna Balan but failed to surpass Maeda Miyuki and Suetsuna Satoko and lost 16-21 10-21 in 32 minutes as India settled for the fourth spot.
Published 28 February 2010, 10:09 IST