London Olympics Bronze medallist Saina Nehwal started her Rio campaign in style, defeating local favourite Brazilian player Lohanny Vicente in the women’s singles event. Proving what it is to be a top ranked player, she got the better of the Brazilian 21-17, 21-17 in her first Group G game.
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Runner-up at the All England and World Championships, the 26-year-old spearheaded India’s challenge at the world’s biggest podium, not giving her opponent many opportunities and took a healthy lead early on. She raced ahead 7-5 in the first game but soon Lohaynny fought back to level 12-12. After the break, Saina had a slender lead again to Lohaynny, and then went on to win four consecutive points taking the first set 21-17. In the second game, Nehwal went into break with a 11-5 lead and soon had six match points with the score at 20-14. She finally closed the second set and the match at 20-17. Saina will next face off Maria Ulitina of Ukraine on 14 Aug.
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India had a disappointing start to their badminton campaign as the women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa lost in their opening group match against Japan 15-21, 10-21 in just 38 minutes. Also, both archers Deepika Kumari andBombayla Devi were eliminated from their individual events. However, PV Sindhu had a good start with a comfortable win in straight games earlier in the day. And now with Saina winning her match as well, there will be some cause for cheer in the Indian contingent.
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That’s the wrap up for today’s Olympics games. Watch this space to get updated.
Feature Image Credits: indianexpress.com
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