The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Rupesh & Sanave advance

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Thursday, Sep 21, 2006
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Rupesh & Sanave advance

MADRID: Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas entered the men's doubles pre-quarterfinals at the World badminton championships after pulling off a 21-17, 19-21, 21-19 victory over the Malaysian duo of Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama and Albertus Susanto here on Wednesday.

However, India's singles challenge at the championships ended with Trupti Murgunde going down to Japanese Eriko Hirose in the second round.

Trupti blew away a one-game lead to lose the contest 6-21, 21-16, 21-12. In the women's doubles, Murgunde and B.R. Meenakshi proved a mismatch against the Chinese combination of Yawen Zhang and Yili Wie as they went down 21-1, 21-7 in just 15 minutes on Tuesday night.

Hidayat advances

World champion Taufik Hidayat defeated Kestutis Navickas of Lithuania 19-21, 21-15, 21-10.

Hidayat, who is still making his way back after long-term injury problems, was completely in control at the finish, but started at the difficult end and was surprised by his tall opponent's ability to combine steep attacks, often with spectacular jump smashes, with remarkably good court coverage.

Meanwhile, China's Bao Chunlai booked a place in the last 16 with a 21-13, 21-14 victory over Juergen Koch of Austria.

Malaysia's Muhamad Hafiz Hashim eased his way into the next round with a 21-8, 21-10 victory over Michal Matejka of Slovakia, while China's Chen Jing, the No.3 seed, also reached the last 16, overcoming Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam in straight games.

Trupti wins

Earlier on Tuesday, Trupti beat Larisa Griga of Ukraine 17-21, 21-14, 21-19 to advance to the women's singles second.

But, National champion Anup Sridhar lost 19-21, 21-15, 21-13 to Sheng-Shiun Liao of Chinese Taipei.

The mixed-doubles pair of V. Diju and Jwala Gutta also bowed out after giving a tough fight to Teik Chai Gan and Chew Yen Fong of Malaysia 21-18, 17-21, 21-19.

However, Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurian gained from the last-minute withdrawal of top Korean combination of Kyung Won Lee and Hyo Jung Lee to make it to the women's doubles pre-quarterfinals. — Agencies

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