Setback for men, women make amends to keep a clean slate
However, the Indian women’s team made nice amends to enter the fourth round when they beat Portugal 3-0 this morning.
After their two successive wins, it was expected from the Indians led by Achanta Sharath Kamal to put up some fight but, unfortunately, the higher-ranked Nigerians were up to the task.
Soumyajit Ghosh lost the opening match to Aruna Quadri 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 in what was an abject surrender. But, somehow, Sharath stood firm against Segun Toriola and even managed to take a game off his Nigerian opponent before going down 13-15, 6-11, 13-11, 5-11. With two rubbers already down, it was a difficult for the Indians to stage any recovery. Yet, Anthony Amalraj tried his best and put up some fight before losing 13-11, 8-11, 9-11, 8-11.
The men squad still has two matches in their group against Switzerland and Slovak Republic—they play Switzerland tomorrow—and and should win those matches to keep their hopes of entering the main draw.
It was no surprise that the women’s team had been keeping a clean slate so far and their win over Portugal in the third round became a formality after Manika Batra provided her team with the advantage.
Manika Batra began sedately against Leila Oliverira but did well in the decider to put her opponent in place in a stressed first rubber. With both players adopting a safety-first approach, the match swung from one extreme to another and players sharing the spoils.
However, the decider fought on an even keel, Manika showed gumption to stay ahead of Leila mostly and that helped her win with a minimal point 11-5, 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9. The 1-0 lead came in handy for India as Mouma Das, putting behind her disappointing show yesterday, accounted for Catia Martins n straight games of 11-5, 11-9, 11-6. K. Shamini carried on her good form to beat Patricia Maciel 11-1, 11-4, 11-9 for another thumping win.
The Indian women will next play Nigeria which should be a good fourth round match before they wind up their group G affairs with a match against Croatia the day after tomorrow.
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