London Olympics: Saina, Kashyap bring cheers in Indian camp, move into singles quarters

Saina Nehwal needed just 38 minutes to quell the challenge of Dutch Yao Jie 21-14, 21-16 to move into the quarterfinals of the badminton women's singles at the Wembley Arena on Wednesday, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that the Indian ace looked in good touch against the veteran.

In the quarterfinals Saina will play the winner of the match between Sayaka Sato of Japan and Tine Baun of Denmark.

Earlier, Parupalli Kashyap, India's entry in men's singles, became the first Indian man to move into the quarters of Olympic men's singles badminton event with a hard-fought win over Sri Lanka's Niluka Karunaratne at the Wembley Arena on Wednesday. In reaching the last-8 stage with a 21-14, 15-21, 21-9 win, Kashyap emulated compatriot Saina Nehwal who reached the quarterfinals in Beijing in 2008.

Meanwhile a report in The Hindu says that P Kashyap looked confused and tired, yet he found a way out of the web that the Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne had woven around him, to march briskly into the quarterfinals of the men’s singles in badminton, in the Olympics at the Wembley Arena, here on Wednesday.

“The 25-year-old pulled through to a 21-14, 15-21, 21-9 victory in just over an hour. Kashyap had done well to recover after a quick start by the Lankan, when the latter led 6-1. The slow start perhaps helped Kashyap to lift his game strongly, and he played with an all-round efficiency to take a 13-8 lead. He smashed judiciously and moved his opponent around quite craftily to induce the mistakes. In the second game, the Lankan took an 11-3 lead, and Kashyap was distinctly uncomfortable and unsure on the other side of the court. His judgement was wrong a few times and he lacked the surety of touch, as his approach lacked clarity and direction,” says the report, adding that the Lankan was on a roll, and reached 20-8 before Kashyap reeled off seven points in a row, to ensure an early revival of his fortunes.

“The net dribbles were breathtaking and Kashyap capped them with strong smashes, as he regained confidence in his ability even as he lost the game. It was all even till 5-5 in the decider, before Kashyap accelerated ahead, winning 10 points to one by his opponent to gain a stranglehold over the proceedings. It was crucial that he took a decisive 11-5 lead before the change of side and cruised along,” says the report.