India’s badminton duo, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, are staring at an early exit from the women’s doubles event at the Paris Olympics after suffering their second consecutive defeat in the group stage. The pair lost to Japan’s world-ranked No. 4 duo, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, 11-21, 12-21, in a 48-minute match.
Having previously lost to South Korea’s Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong, Ponnappa and Crasto now stand third in their group. Only the top two pairs from each group advance to the quarterfinals, making their next match against Australia’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu crucial for any hope of progressing.
Match Summary
The Japanese pair dominated from the outset, taking an early 4-0 lead, and continued to control the game with precise shots and strong rallies. Despite efforts from Ponnappa and Crasto to close the gap, including a notable smash from Ponnappa and a body smash from Crasto, the Indian duo struggled to keep pace.
The second game saw the Japanese again take a commanding 7-1 lead, exacerbated by Crasto needing medical attention for a finger injury. Although Ponnappa and Crasto managed a brief comeback, scoring three consecutive points, the Japanese pair ultimately secured the match with nine match points.
Next Steps
Ponnappa and Crasto must win their final group match against the Australian pair to have any chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. This performance at the Paris Olympics highlights the challenging competition and the need for the Indian pair to elevate their game in future matches.
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