E-Paper
Saina, Sindhu win openers with ease
RIO DE JANEIRO: London Games bronze winner Saina Nehwal and two-time World Championship bronze medallist, PV Sindhu made a resounding start to their badminton campaign
RIO DE JANEIRO: London Games bronze winner Saina Nehwal and two-time World Championship bronze medallist, PV Sindhu made a resounding start to their badminton campaign at the Rio Olympics but it turned out to be a dismal day for the Indian doubles players, here on Thursday.
Former world No 1 Saina staved off a spirited challenge from world No 73 Brazilian Vicente Lohaynny 21-17 21-17 in 39 minutes at the Riocentro here. She will next face Maria Ulitina of Ukraine in a Group G tie.
Ninth seed Sindhu spanked Laura Sarosi of Hungary 21-8 21-9 in a Group M women’s singles match that lasted for 27 minutes.
She will play against Glasgow Commonwealth Games champion Li Michelle of Canada on August 14 to complete the preliminary group engagements.
However, there was disappointment in doubles. Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa lost 15-21 10-21 to the world No 1 Japanese pair Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsumoto while Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy lost 18-21 13-21 to world No 2 Indonesians Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan.
There were more setbacks on the sixth day of competition. Boxer Shiva Thapa (56kg) bowed out after being out-punched by fourth-seeded Cuban Robeisy Ramirez 0-3 from the bantamweight category.
Women’s archers Deepika Kumari and L Bombayla Devi also bowed out in the pre-quarter final stage. Deepika went down to Taipei’s Ting Tan Ya 80-87 (27-28, 26-29, 27-30) at the Sambodromo arena. Later, Bombayla lost to Alejandra Valencia of Mexico 102-104 (26-8, 26-23, 27-28, 23-25).
