Badminton, Hong Kong Open: Jolly-Gopichand and Crasto-Ponnappa lose to end Indian campaign

Both women’s doubles teams were the last remaining Indians in the competition, but lost out in straight games.

Sep 14, 2023 - 12:30

Badminton, Hong Kong Open: Jolly-Gopichand and Crasto-Ponnappa lose to end Indian campaign

The Indian challenge at the Hong Kong Open ended on Thursday after straight-games losses to the two women’s doubles from the country who were still active in the competition.

Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa lost 18-21, 7-21 to top seeds Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan.

Earlier, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost 8-21, 14-21 to Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti of Indonesia.

#HongKongOpen2023 #HongKongSuper500 ????

Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lose 18-21, 7-21 to top seeds from Japan Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara.https://t.co/vk0FPdbwLi pic.twitter.com/qD7yhCAU5o— The Field (@thefield_in) September 14, 2023

The Indonesian duo had a flying start to the match, taking a 5-0 lead in the opening game which set the tone for a quick first game win.

The second game was a bit tighter, as both teams remained close to each other on the scoreline, with the Indian team drawing level at 7-7. However, at 9-8 to the Indonesians, the South East Asian duo won six points on the trot to lead 15-8 and comfortably held out for the win.

Crasto and Ponnappa, meanwhile, had started the competition in the qualification stage.

The opening game was a tight affair as both teams remained within two points of each other, often drawing level. However, at 13-13 Matsumoto and Nagahara won four points on the...