Deepika makes first-round exit in World Cup

The Indian lost to Tan Ya-ting in straight sets.

Deepika Kumari was the lone Indian to have made the cut for the World Cup Final draw of eight.

Four-time silver medallist Deepika Kumari made a first-round exit from the Archery World Cup here on Sunday, beaten by Tan Ya-ting in straight sets. The former World No.1 Deepika looked a shadow of her former self against the Rio Olympics nemesis from Chinese Taipei, who put up a superlative display to seal the match 6-0 at the Stadio dei Marmi here.

Deepika was the lone Indian to have made the cut for the World Cup Final draw of eight by virtue of her two quarterfinal finishes in the four World Cups this year. The archer from Taiwan, who had eliminated Deepika in the Olympics pre-quarterfinal last year, started off with two perfect 10s to take the Indian by surprise in the first set.

Ya-Ting shot 10-9-10 to set an early momentum, while Deepika was a slow starter with 8-9-10 and never really overcame the first-set jitters. The Olympic bronze medallist shot a sensational 30 out of 30 in the second set, to which Deepika (25) had no answer to.

Continuing her impressive form, Ya-Ting shot 28 in the third set and blew away any chance of the Indian’s bid for a fifth final.