Tokyo2020: Women’s day

Tokyo, July 28

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Reigning world champion PV Sindhu stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of women’s singles badminton event but B Sai Praneeth’s maiden Olympics campaign ended in agony in the men’s competition of the Tokyo Games here today.

Sindhu, who had claimed a silver in Rio, beat world No. 34 Hong Kong’s NY Cheung 21-9 21-16 in a 35-minute match to top Group J.

However, 13th seed Praneeth went down 14-21 14-21 to Mark Caljouw of the Netherlands in 40 minutes for his second defeat in Group D.

For Sindhu, it was her sixth win over Cheung in as many meetings. “I found my rhythm from the second game on and I finished it off. It was a fast game and I made a couple of unforced errors. I changed my tactics and got things under control. This type of test is important before a big match,” the 26-year-old said after the match.

World No. 7 Sindhu will meet Denmark’s world No. 12 Mia Blichfeldt, who topped Group I.

Debutant Pooja sails into quarters

Two-time Asian champion Indian boxer Pooja Rani (75kg) outpunched Algeria’s Ichrak Chaib in her opening bout to enter the quarterfinals of her maiden Games today.

The 30-year-old Indian clinched it 5-0, thoroughly dominating a rival 10 years her junior.

The Haryana-boxer was in command with her right straights and also benefitted immensely from Chaib’s lack of balance in the ring.

Next up for Rani is Olympics bronze medallist, two-time Asian champion, and former world gold medallist Li Qian of China. The two will square off on July 31. — PTI

Medal hopes still burning for Deepika

Battling gusty winds under floodlights, Deepika Kumari was not at her best but the world No. 1 archer kept the Indian medal hopes alive by sailing into the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s individual section today.

On a day her teammates Tarundeep Rai and Pravin Jadhav exited in Round 2, Deepika survived some anxious moments before getting past US teenager Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez 6-4 to sail into Round 3.

“I was not able to adjust to the tricky wind conditions,” Deepika said after the hard-fought win.

Earlier, 37-year-old Rai lost to Israel’s Itay Shanny in a tight shoot-off finish for a heartbreaking second round exit. Rai’s Army colleague Jadhav also suffered a Round 2 loss as the duo failed to negotiate gusty wind conditions here.

Jadhav, had sprung a surprise, knocking out world No. 2 Galsan Bazarzhapov in straight sets in the opening round. He had registered a 6-0 win. A repeat of his first round scores of 29-28-27 would have been enough against Britain’s Brady Ellison, the world No. 1. But, he looked completely out of sorts and shot 27-26-23 to bow out. — PTI