Selangor, Feb. 16 -- The Indian women's team blanked Hong Kong 3-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships for the first time in the history of the competition while the men went down 2-3 against Japan in Selangor on Friday.

Indian women, who had upset China on Tuesday to top Group W, capitalised on a favourable quarter-final draw with two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu once again leading the charge.

Sindhu, who is returning after a long injury-induced layoff, started strong against Lo Sin Yan Happy but had to regroup herself after a second-game hiccup to win 21-7, 16-21, 21-12 to give India the lead.

Sindhu began the match with a bang winning 11 of the first 12 points and sailed through the opening game. Bu...