Indonesia Open 2012: Early exit for Pradnya Gadre, Prajakta Sawant from Women’s Doubles event
It was not dream start for India in the Women’s Doubles event of the Djarum Indonesia Open as their shuttlers Pradnya Gadre and Prajakta Sawant crashed out of the tournament on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.
The low ranked couple Melvira Oklamona-Khaeriah Rosmini cast them out with final figures of 21-23, 21-19 and 21-19.
This first round match kept audience glued to their chairs for one hour and 14 minutes as both teams exhibited prime skills and took the game to next level.
World Number 41 duo Pradnya-Prajakta was hot favourite in this contest as team officials were more concerned about their expected clash with Japanese pair Miyuki Maeda-Satoko Suetsuna in next round.
However, the Indonesian campaigners proved a tough nut to crack as they turned their opponents’ plans into dust.
First sign of trouble came when Indian ladies faced huge trouble while bagging first set of the match.
They remained at lower end in most part of the game but few mistakes from their challengers allowed them to save the honour to some extent.
In first half, Melvira-Khaeriah established a decent lead of five points until mid-game break and then raised it to seven by registering a respectable total of 15-8.
The twosome of Prajakta and Pradnya picked up some pace and counterbalanced the situation at 18 each. Both teams remained toe-to-toe until 21-21 but then the Indian ladies swept the table with 23-21.
Next game also proved a nerve-racking tussle as they chased each other all the way to game point situation.
Women’s Doubles partners Pradnya and Prajakta were in strong position to transform 1-0 lead into straight-set victory but spirited Indonesians came in their way.
In the beginning, Melvira and Khaeriah were bit confused which resulted in a 9-11 margin against them before the interval.
Though, they could not gain the upper hand over their rival but still they kept on moving forward at a steady pace.
Finally, they tipped the scale in their favour by pocketing last four points in decisive margin of 21-19.
The decider was just replay of previous set as Pradnya and Prajakta lost crucial set in similar fashion with same total of 19-21.
Now India’s prospects are in danger as it other couple Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa will have to surpass World Number two Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei of China to keep country’s hopes alive in the event.
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