ALL INDIA BADMINTON
PRANAV RAO, UNNATI HOODA, ANUPAMA UPADHYAYA MARCH INTO QUARTErS
NAVELIM: It was a tough ride for Pranav Rao Gandham from Telangana against ninth-seed Lakshay Sharma, who matched his higher-rated rival through the high-voltage duel of over an hour. While Pranav lost the first game 17-21, he roared back with 21-12, success to level the tie and set up a mouth-watering decider. Unfortunately, the pre-quarters ended prematurely as the severely cramping Lakshay of Punjab could not continue in the third game when Pranav was leading 11-17.
In another eye-catching Round 3 encounter, the tall youngster Ayush Shetty overcame a stiff challenge form Nicholas Nathan Raj 21-9, 14-21, 21-12 in 41 minutes.
Over in the girls singles event, one of the favourites Unnati Hooda tamed Maharashtra’s Aalisha Naik with a comfortable 21-13, 21-16 in 26 minutes.
The other big name in the competition Anupama Upadhyaya has a battle for 40 minutes to knock UP’s Samayara Panwar out with a 21-10, 24-22 victory. Earlier in the day, Anupama had to work hard as Tara Shah gave her a real scare before retiring. Anupama prevailed 12-21, 22-10, 13-5.
Elsewhere Gargi, Anmol Kharb and Tanoo Chandra booked their places in the last 8 stage, having come into the Main Draw from the Qualifying Tournament. Gargi, who defeated 13th seed Hiral Chouhan 21-17, 21-14, will clash with Hooda in the quarters. Anmol beat Karnika Sree S. 23-21, 21-12; 21-11, 21-10.
Meanwhile the hosts challenge came to an end in all the events today. Having aroused exceptions after his stunning marathon victory yesterday, Nishant Shenai failed to hit the same level in the second round and suffered a 9-21, 17-21 loss to Samarveer.
Goa’s Yash Halarnkar and Aryaman Saraf suffered a 14-21, 10-21 defeat to TN’s Karthick Raja B-Parth Vaid P, in the boys doubles while Synnovia Isablel D’Souza-Pratishtha Shenoy lost to Harshitaa Rout Sruti Swain 7-21, 10-21.
Date: 19 July, 2022
all india badminton
Nishant Shenai keeps goa's challenge alive, Haryana's Unnati Hooda advances
NAVELIM: Goa’s top ranked player in juniors Nishant Shenai registered a superb fightback to move into the second round of the Yonex Sunrise All India Junior (U19) Ranking Badminton Goa 2022, at Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Goa on Monday.
Nishant overcame a stiff challenge of Kerala’s Aman Suresh SM 13-21, 30-29, 21-19 in a gruelling 1 hour 14 minute encounter. He was the only Goan to advance in the singles event from a total of four players, who were in the Singles Main Draw.
Goa has three more pairs competing in the doubles events. Nishant looked down and out, losing the 1st set quiet tamely, but then staged a remarkable recovery to win the second set AT 30-29 and took the match to the third. The 3rd set was a fluctuating after every few points. But with home side backing him, Nishant held his composure to win the decider at 21-19.
While Nishant was scripting an epic comeback, Goa’s number two ranked Anish Kamath went down to Saanidhya Sharma 16-21, 10-21 on the adjacent court.
Earlier, Goa’s Nidhi Desai lost to Tara Shah 5-21, 5-21 in 18 minutes, while Janhavi Mahale went down fighting to Mahnoor Kaur 17-21, 16-21 in 27 minutes in the girls singles.
Date: 18 July, 2022