A slow day for India at the Olympics saw as few as seven athletes in action, and the Men's doubles dream team of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were the only Indians to survive a rather dull Day 5 in Beijing.
Baddy Blues
The day started well with Saina Nehwal involved in a gripping three game battle with Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia. In a match that lasted a little over and hour, Saina won the first game 28-26 overcoming some terrific back-to-the-wall play from her 23 year-old opponent who held off eight game points before succumbing.
Maria started off brightly in the 2nd game and raced away to a 21-14 response. Saina to her credit raised her level of play to take an 11-3 lead i
tennis stars Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon in the first round of the Men's Doubles at the Beijing Olympics today. The match which lasted just under an hour saw the Indian team break the French men early in the first set to wrap it up in just 25 minutes. The second set was a much more keenly contested affair till the Indians broke at 4-3 late in the set and then hold on to their serves to close out the match.
India's women archers have performed well in the Olympics this year but without much luck. Dola Banerjee and Bombayla Devi both got knocked out in the round of 32 albeit in very close games. The youngster in the team Pranitha Vardhineni, won her match against Jane Waller of Australia showing outstanding form. But had to compete immediately in the next round and was overwhelmed by World No. 5 Un Sil Kwon 99 - 106.