Asian Games badminton: Jwala-Ashwini bow out in pre-quarters
By IANSTuesday, November 16, 2010
GUANGZHOU - Commonwealth Games gold medallists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa of India lost to second-seeded Chinese Tian Qin and Zhao Yunlei 10-21, 5-21 in the women’s doubles pre-quarterfinals to bow out of the Asian Games here Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Jwala and Ponappa advanced to the last 16 stage when Thailand’s Savitree Amitrapai and P. Munkitchokecharoen retired after losing the first game 13-21.
In women’s singles, Aditi Mutatkar beat Thilini Jayasinghe 21-11, 21-19 in the first round. She next faces fourth-seeded Eriko Hirose of Japan.
In men’s doubles, Akshay Dewalkar and Arun Vishnu got a walk-over from Sri Lanka’s Niluka Karunaratna and Dinuka Karunaratna to move into the pre-quarters.
Another Indian women’s doubles combination Aparna Balan and Prajakta Sawant lost to Malaysians N.G. Marylen Poauleng and Khe Wei Woon 17-21, 7-21.
India’s best bet in badminton Saina Nehwal will open her campaign Wednesday.
Saina, seeded second, will take on Malaysian Cheah Lydia.
