Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 17 (ANI): Tanvi Sharma turned the primary Indian feminine participant to be assured of a BWF World Junior Championships medal in 17 years when she fought again from a recreation all the way down to beat Japan’s Saki Matsumoto and attain the ladies singles semifinals on the National Centre of Excellence right here on Friday, as per a launch from BAI.
The 16-year-old stored her nerves underneath strain and located winners together with her cross-court slice hits to beat Matsumoto 13-15, 15-9, 15-10 in a 47-minute quarterfinal conflict that stored the spectators on edge.
The final Indian feminine participant to win a world junior medal was Saina Nehwal, who bagged the gold medal within the 2008 version in Pune. Saina, who had additionally received a silver medal in 2006 and Aparna Popat (1996 silver) are the one different Indian feminine gamers to face on the rostrum within the historical past of the competitors.
Top-seeded Tanvi, who had additionally bagged a bronze medal within the Badminton Asia Junior Championships earlier this yr, started aggressively and regarded like she was in management as she opened up a 10-6 lead however a flurry of errors allowed Matsumoto to stage a comeback because the Japanese received seven straight factors to take the lead. The Indian managed to stem the run however couldn’t keep away from shedding the sport.
The US Open finalist was far more snug together with her shot choice within the second recreation and raced by to a 15-9 win. However, errors as soon as once more pegged her again at the beginning of the third recreation and it was clear that the highest seed was underneath strain because the gamers modified ends with the Indian trailing 5-8.
Those nerves undoubtedly settled as she clinched 4 straight factors to take the lead at 9-8 after which used her flat tosses and cross smashes to outplay her opponent.
‘It is tough to play towards Matsumoto as she slows down the sport. So, I knew that I needed to be aggressive. I’m completely happy that I’m assured of a medal,’ mentioned Tanvi, as quoted from a launch by BAI.
She will now face China’s Liu Si Ya, as per a launch from BAI.
The Chinese defeated Sri Lanka’s Ranithma Liyanage 15-9, 15-6 within the different quarterfinals.
However, India’s hopes of one other medal in ladies singles have been dashed when eighth seed Unnati Hooda went down 15-12, 15-13 towards second seed Anyapat Phichitpreechasak of Thailand.
Unnati clearly struggled together with her front-court motion and although the Indian fought for each level within the 32-minute battle, she was repeatedly caught by Anyapat together with her fast cross drops and smashes.
In the boys’ singles quarterfinals, Gnana Dattu put up a robust combat towards third seed Liu Yang Ming Yu of China however his spirited effort was not sufficient to keep away from a 15-11, 15-13 loss.
The combined doubles mixture of Bhavya Chhabra and Vishakha Toppo additionally fell quick within the quarterfinals towards Chinese Taipei’s Hung Bing Fu and Chou Yun An 15-9, 15-7. (ANI)