Perfect start for Indian paddlers

Clubbed in group F, they took on the Vietnamese first this morning and thumped their rivals in quick time. Opening the attack for India, Achanta Sharath Kamal defeated Anh Tu Nguyen 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 116. The Indian had a fine start but after leding 2-0, he dropped a game when Anh came back nicely. However, the experienced ace Indian shut out the challenge by winning the next game.

For Anthony Amalraj, who took on Tien Dat Le in the next rubber, it was rather easy when he quickly disposed of his opponent 12-10, 11-5, 11-6 and after that Harmeet Desai downe Ba Tuan Anh Doan 11-5, 13-11, 2-10 in a tough contest. Despite the threat from Doan, the Indian had things under control. 

Both Soumyajit Ghosh and G Sathiyan, the other members of the men’s squad, had a free day today. India will take on Turkey on Monday afternoon. After that, they will play Nigeria, Switzerland and Slovak Republic, in that order, on the following days. 

There are 24 teams in the second division divided into four groups of six teams each.