India had a disappointing day at the Asian Badminton Championships, as Aditi Mutatkar crashed out of the women's singles and Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas bowed out of the men's doubles, in Delhi, on Friday.
Returning to competition after injury, Aditi could not match up to the fast-paced game of Chinese qualifier Xin Liu and went down 14-21, 11-21 in the quarter-finals, in 30 minutes .
Rupesh and Sanave, meanwhile, squandered a first game lead before going down 21-17, 16-21, 15-21 to the Korean pair of Sang Hoon Han and Ji Man Hwang in the men's doubles.
Starting the proceedings for India, Aditi fought hard initially and was 8-8 with the Chinese in the first game, but Liu raised the tempo and Aditi's game crumbled.
The Pune girl couldn't reach the towering smashes of her opponent and also made some unforced errors as she lost the second game.
In the decider, Aditi narrowed down the gap to 10-13, after lagging initially, but Liu engaged her in long rallies and maintained her fast-paced game to seal the match.
"I was thrashed. I am playing a Chinese after almost four years and she taught me a lesson to be more fitter and faster. I could read her game but I lacked variety of defence," Aditi said.
"But I am satisfied with my performance and the quarter-final result. I think coming out of the injury and reaching the quarters of ABC has given me a lot of confidence. I will work on my fitness and pace and come back stronger," she added.
In the men's doubles, Rupesh and Sanave won the first game comfortably, but slowed down in the second, allowing the Korean pair to draw parity.
In the decider, the Indians were level with the Koreans till 9-9, but unforced errors and failure to keep the shuttle down put paid to their hopes.
A line call also went against them but the local favourites didn't create a fuss about it.
"The first game we played was fast paced but we slowed down in the second and third game and failed to keep the shuttle down. It is our best finish but it could have been better," a disappointed Sanave said.
"We committed too many silly mistakes in crucial moments. Even in the third game, we were 14-14 but we made some mistakes and went into defensive. In such a format if you concede two-three points' lead, it is difficult to catch up," Rupesh said.
