New Delhi: India’s men and women teams posted their second successive wins in the Perfect 2016 World Championships, being held in Kuala Lumpur, to enter the third round.
After winning their first Second Division against Vietnam on sunday, the Indians ran into Turkey and it was a quiet affair in the second round.
Achanta Sharath Kamal was in his best form this morning when he took on Ibrahim Gunduz, winning the opening rubber 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 for Soumyajit Ghosh, who was playing his first match, to face Gencay Menge in the second singles. Ghosh took very little time to settle down and beat his Turkish opponent 11-8, 11-6, 11-7. Then national champion Anthony Amalraj after losing the first game brushed aside his rustiness and overcame Abdullah Yigenler 11-3, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7.
The Indian men’s squad will take on Nigeria today in the third round.
As for the women’s team, except for Mouma Das who went down in the first singles, both K. Shamini and Madhurika Patkar took control of the match to put India on road to recovery and emerge winners over Puerto Rica.
Mouma Das, surprisingly, disappointed when she opened it for India against Adriana Diaz. The top Puerto Rican, despite losing the first game, steadied herself before taking a firm grip over the diminutive Mouma. Adirana was not only deceptive but also very quick that she finished off the second game, allowing just two points to Mouma.
In fact, Mouma could not take any liberty against the Puerto Rican who was severe anything that came to her forehand. So much so, she won 5-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9 to put her team in the lead. K. Shamini, playing her role to perfection, neutralized their rivals’ advantage to beat Melaine Dias 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5 and the Madhurika, playing her first match, easily downed Daniely Rios 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 to give India some life.
With Shamini slated to take on Adriana in her reverse singles, it was always going to be dicey. But the Indian, hitting a great form and tackling her opponent with her guile, outwitted their No. 1 player. Shamini won 11-7, 13-11, 8-11, 11-8 to see India through to the third round where they will clash with Portugal today.
