Swiss Open 2021: Ashwini/Satwik bow down to fifth seeds in the quarterfinal
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Ashwini Ponnappa and Satwik Rankireddy played an important match in the quarterfinal of the Yonex Swiss Open 2021. After having beaten the second seeds in the first round, they have a great opportunity to make a podium finish. The quarterfinal match against the 5th seeded Malaysian Lai Pei Jing and Tan Kian Meng was an important hurdle to cross. The duo had guidance from the newly appointed doubles coach for India, the legendary Mathias Boe, former top player from Denmark.
A slow start for Ashwini/Satwik
With errors from Indians, and trying to find their rhythm, Lai and Tan stormed off into a 11-6 lead.
Ashwini and Satwik picked up a few points as the Malaysians committed a few errors. Ashwini was making errors being put under pressure. It was a matter of concern, as she had a strapping on her leg and had even changed her serve stance.
Satwik went all out on attack, raining down some powerful smashes at Lai and finding the gaps. They crawled back , closing down the gap to 13-13. With a placed return of serve from Tan they got back into lead breaking the Indian’s streak.
A drop shot went almost a foot wide from Satwik, widening the gap to 18-15 with the Malaysians in lead. They soon went on to have three match point opportunities at 20-17 with errors coming in form the Indians and converted in the first opportunity 21-17.
A dominant game 2 from the Indians
The second set began with the first point going to the Indians with a lift from the Malaysians going long. Satwik came up with some amazing defensive placement which the Malaysians failed to retrieve. The Indians seemed back in rhythm as they put pressure with their attack and took a lead of 7-1. They looked dominant and in control, going into the mid game interval 11-5 with a 6 point advantage.
The Indian duo kept up a consistent lead with their attack finding the gaps and lines. They went off to a 14-8 lead. Consistent attack and placement in the gaps helped them stay in the lead. They finished the second game in their favour 21-16.
The nail-biting decider
It was close, neck to neck start in the decider. Lai and Tan however went into a narrow 3 point lead at the mid-game interval. Ashwini/Satwik came back level post mid game. However the Malaysian were a step ahead as they inched back into lead 17-13.
Errors from Ashwini and Satwik, pressure with the attack from the Malaysians led to the unseeded Indians going down fighting in the third game 21-18. The Malaysians walked away with the victory 21-17,16-21,21-18.
It was a tough loss for the promising Indian duo who had beaten the second seeds in the first round. Their dream run and a chance of a podium finish was just shattered in the quarterfinals by the Tan and Lai.
Also Read: Swiss Open 2021: Ajay Jayaram crashes out in quarterfinals following a crushing defeat
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Medha Kattige
(117 Articles Published)