Jakarta: In the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia, world number three PV Sindhu joined Saina Nehwal in the semi-finals of the women’s badminton singles on Sunday.

On the eighth day of the Games, it was Saina, who first reached the semi-finals with a straight-game victory over Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21-18, 21-16. Sindhu too followed her, with a hard-fought win over another Thai player Nitchaon Jindapol 21-11, 16-21, 21-14.

Both Saina and Sindhu are assured of medals. This is for the first time that Indian women shuttlers are winning medals at the Asiad. It was a hisotric day for Indian badminton.

Before today, in the history of Asian Games, India had won only one individual medal in the sport - back in 1982, when Syed Modi bagged a bronze in men's singles.

With both Indian stars in the last-four phase, the fans back home are hoping for a final between the two Hyderabad players.

In the third quarter-final at GBK Istora stadium, Sindhu raced to first game victory 21-11. She needed just 17 minutes to go 1-0 up. However, the Indian conceded the lead and also the game in the second, going down 16-21 in 22 minutes.

The match was well set up. The decider saw both players battling it hard. And Sindhu triumphed 21-14 in 22 minutes. She had a biggest lead of seven points in the third and final game.

In the semi-finals, Sindhu will face either Yufei Chen of China or Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. Saina meets world number one Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei.