Hello and welcome to Sportstar 's LIVE coverage of Day 4 of the Tokyo Olympics with fencer Bhavani Devi kicking off proceedings followed by Archery where the men's team will be competing in the Round of 16. Indian boxers, swimmers and shuttlers will also be in action as the day progresses.
That brings an end to Indian action in individual events on Monday. Another disappointing day for the country with Sathiyan remaining the lone victor. Bhavani Devi did become the first Indian to win a match in fencing but she subsequently lost in the Round of 32. In archery, the men's team reached the quarterfinals where they lost to South Korea. Sumit Nagal, Ashish Kumar, Manika Batra, Sutirtha Mukherjee all exited the Olympics.
Indian women's hockey team will be in action against Germany in a Pool A game from 17:45 IST. Do join us for the live blog here.
LIVE UPDATES
Sajan Prakash finishes fourth in Heat 2. He charged to the finish in the last 50m to finish the 200m butterfly in 1:57.22. His personal best is 1:56.38 which he achieved at Sette Colli Trophy in Rome last month to make the A standard time and earn direct qualification for the Tokyo Olympics . Sajan finishes 24th overall at the end of Heats and will not qualify for the semifinal. Even if he had match his personal best time here in Tokyo, he would have finished only 21st. He had finished 28th overall in the 200m butterfly at Rio Olympics where he represented India through the Universality place quota.
SWIMMING: Next up for India is Sajan Prakash. He will compete in Heat 2 of the men's 200m butterfly event. The Indian will be in Lane 4.
- Ashish tried his best in the last round but was found wanting in terms of balance. Ashish Kumar loses to China's Erbieke Tuoheta in a 5-0 unanimous verdict .
- The Indian is looking deceptively languid compared to the Chinese boxer, but he manages to pin Erbieke to the corner twice for a couple of clean jabs. A definite improvement from the Indian in Round 2. The Indian is opening himself up to lure the Chinese for a reflex punch but Erbieke holds his ground. The second round also goes to the Chinese player in a unanimous verdict. It's a surprise. Only a knockout in the third round can help Ashish stay afloat.
- Ashish Kumar is getting instructions thick and fast from his coach. The Chinese player clearly has the edge and is the aggressive one among the two in Round 1. It's a unanimous decision in favour of Erbieke from the five judges.
- The Boxers are in the ring. The match is about to begin.
BOXING: Ashish Kumar will take on China's Erbieke Tuoheta in the men's middleweight category (75kg) Round of 32 at 15:06 IST.
Sailing: Nethra Kumanan finished 15th in Race 3 and 40th in Race 4. She is currently 28th in the overall list after four races in the women's laser radial. There are a total of 10 races followed by a medal race with double points in sailing. Vishnu Saravanan finished 20th in Race 2 and 24th in Race 3 of the men's laser class. He is currently placed 25th in the overall result.
- Manika Batra's singles campaign ends with 4-0 loss to Austria's Sofia Polcanova in the third round. Score: 8-11,2-11,5-11,7-11
- Game 4 to Sofia 11-7.
- 6-7 - A forehand long and an uncharacteristic net error from Sofia helps Manika catch up.
- 3-5 - Manika's backhand is also not working in her favour now. She catches the net and is visibly upset with herself for that shot.
- Game 4: Powerful returns from Sofia Polcanova. Manika is finding it difficult to track the ball and respond in quicktime.
- The Austrian pockets Game 3 - 11-5. She is now 3-0 up against the Indian and needs to win just one more game to bounce out Manika Batra
- 4-6: The Austrian has not let Manika use the backhand - her strongpoint - much through this game. A lot of unforced errors due to her forehand returns have compounded matters.
- Game 3: 2-2: Manika begins well with a beautiful backhand winner.
- 2-11 - Sofia wins Game 2 in quicktime. Manika's wide returns didn't help matters. Will she show signs of resurgence? She came back from 2-0 down to win Round 2 against Pesotska 4-3 in a thrilling match yesterday.
- 2-7: Manika finds herself in a similar position like yesterday as Sofia leaps for a five point lead.
- Game 2: 1-1: A lucky point for Manika. She returns one which is nowhere close to the table but manages to get the ball just in for a lucky point.
- Game 1 to Sofia. 8-11: The left-handed Austrian whacks a wide-angled forehand which hits the top of Manika's racquet to bounce high and away. She follows it up with a quick point to seal the game.
- 6-8: A brilliant smash from Manika catches Sofia offguard.
- Game 1: Manika starts well, gets 2 points to kick off the match, but the Austrian has made a strong comeback to take a 6-3 lead. Fast-paced returns from Sofia doesn't give Manika any breathing space to go for her shots.
Table Tennis: We are all set for Manika Batra's third round match against Austria's Sofia Polcanova. The Austrian is the 10th seed in Tokyo and is ranked World No. 17. It is going to be a tough challenge for Manika to overcome, but she has already defeated an higher ranked opponent in Round 2.
Sailing: India's Vishnu Saravanan finishes 24th in Sailing Men’s Laser Race 3 event.
Tennis: Daniil Medvedev beats Sumit Nagal
Sumit Nagal knocked out as the Indian loses to World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in Men's Singles Round 2
Nagal did impress with some of his dazzling forehand winners but did err with three double faults. He struggled on the serve but a clinical Medvedev took the lead 4-1 and went on to win the match.
It was so easy for the Russian and losing a game only fuelled the World No. 2 as he takes the first set 6-2 in just 30 minutes.
2-1 Medvedev breaks the serve straightaway, takes the first game and Nagal feeling the heat early in the match. The World No. 2 then upped the ante and won the second game easily, although Nagal exhibited some sparks of brilliance with his forehand returns. Finally, Nagal had his first game against Medvedev when he won the third one, that saw him involved in a bit of argument with the chair umpire.
Medvedev takes first set
It was so easy for the Russian and losing a game only fuelled the World No. 2 as he takes the first set 6-2 in just 30 minutes.
2-1 Medvedev breaks the serve straightaway, takes the first game and Nagal feeling the heat early in the match. The World No. 2 then upped the ante and won the second game easily, although Nagal exhibited some sparks of brilliance with his forehand returns. Finally, Nagal had his first game against Medvedev when he won the third one, that saw him involved in a bit of argument with the chair umpire.
It's hot out there and that will pose Medvedev some challenge but don't write off Nagal. He is just the third Indian ever to reach the second round in Olympics. Nagal to start proceedings in Men's Singles Round 2.
Archery: India 57 Korea 59: The South Korean men's team shoots 59 to win Set 1 and take the lead against Team India. Indian men's archery team of Atanu Das, Pravin Jadhav, Tarundeep Rai lose the second set.
Badminton: Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in action
Game 2 (21-12): Bright start by the Indians as they took a 6-3 lead and showed great control in a rally where the Indonesian pair relied on smashes, especially Sukamuljo, who went on an attack but Rankireddy too showed his skills. But service errors cost the Indians as Indonesia not only levelled but also took the lead by pocketing four straight points. The Indian pair was denied any momentum as they trailed 17-10, staring defeat. With quick reflexes and great speed, the Indonesian pair earned eight match points and won the match that lasted just 32 minutes.
Game 1 (21-13): Indonesia pockets first game. It was a good start by the Indian pair as they levelled every time the Indonesians took the lead. Very short rallies at the moment and India took a slender lead at 7-6 but it quickly turned into 11-7 in favour of Indonesia. Chirag Shetty received medical treatment after he hurt his toe. The game resumed at 13-9 with Indonesia calling the shots and soon it was 16-10. After some fast exchanges, Indonesia earned game point at 20-13 and on their second opportunity won the game 21-13.
Match Begins as Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty aim to secure a win. Remember, they have never won against the Indonesian pair of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi.
Sailing: After two races, India's Vishnu Saravanan is 20th in the men's radial.
Badminton: Up Next
India pair of Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty vs Indonesia's Kevin Sanjaya and Marcus Fernaldi
In Tennis, Sumit Nagal will be up against Russia's Daniil Medvedev in Men's Singles Round 2.
Sailing: India's Vishnu Saravanan has started race 2 of the men's radial. After the first mark, he's 29th.
TABLE TENNIS: WOMEN'S SINGLES ROUND 2
Game 4 (11-5): Fu Yu started in an attacking fashion and despite being pushed back by the Indian, Fu Yu came back to equalise at 3-3. There was a change in approach from Sutirtha as she played close to the table and tried to engage Fu Yu in long rallies. But the Portugese player was quick with her top spin smashes and was quick to grab the lead at 6-4. Fu Yu then took charge with a five-point lead and then earned five match points. It was all over for Sutirtha when her backhand push was blocked by the net.
Game 3 (11-5): Fu Yu was all over the Indian as she started with a bang and took a 4-1 lead before the Indian coach called for a time-out. Two games down and the third trailing, Sutirtha had to pull off some solid strokes to get back in the game. But, it wasn't the case as Fu Yu increased the lead to five points and made it 8-2 before pocketing the game 11-5.
Game 2 (11-3): Sutirtha started the second game on a positive note by taking a two-point lead but Fu Yu was quick to equalise and take a three-point lead at 6-3. The lead only swelled as Fu Yu once again showed her dominance to capture the second game 11-3.
Game 1 (11-3): Fu Yu took the early lead with 5-2 and has kept Sutirtha at bay and held a four-point lead and further extended to have 7 game points at 10-3. Fu Yu finally won the game 11-3
Sutirtha Mukherjee will be up against Portugal's Fu Yu in Women's Singles Round 2 match
SHOOTING: SKEET MEN'S QUALIFICATION
India's Mairaj Ahmad Khan manages a mere 22 in the third round. Angad Vir Singh Bajwa shoots 24.
FENCING: WOMEN'S SABRE TABLE OF 3 2
15-7Bhavani Devi's campaign at the Tokyo Olympics comes to an end but she can be proud of her achievements. This wasn't going to be easy but credit to the Indian for making it this far.
World No. 3 Brunet takes the first point and this is not going to be easy for Bhavani Devi as Brunet leads by 5 points. The lead has now increased and it is 13-6 for the fourth seed.
TABLE TENNIS: MEN'S SINGLES ROUND 2
- Game 6: Sharath Kamal moves to Round 3. Fantastic contest and at the second towel break it's even at 6-6. Sharath took the lead but Apolonia put the pressure back by drawing level ay 9-9. And a soft push helps Sharath earn a match point...
And he does it! 11-9 Sharath Kamal moves into round three in his fourth Olympic appearance.
He will now face Ma Long, defending Olympic champion in Round 3 of the men's singles on Tuesday.
- Game 5: Sharath Kamal took a two-point lead to be 6-4 and them zoomed past his opponent to close it 11-6 and it's 3-2 for India.
- Game 4: A brilliant rally culminates in Sharath pocketing the first point. Apolonia, however, isn't letting things slide by easy. It's 2-2 and Apolonia fights back to draw level.
- Game 3: Sharath's backhand is doing the trick. Apolonia, meanwhile, is struggling to adjust to the Indian's spin and depth variation. 11-5. IND 2-1 POR.
- Game 2: Sharath Kamal's movements are much quicker from the get go. A 4-0 lead for the Chennai star. The floating serve coupled with a witty defensive tact does it for Sharath. He takes the second game 11-8.
- Game 1: Tiago Apolonia's measured serves sees him run away with the first game. 11-2.
ARCHERY: MEN'S TEAM ROUND OF 16
- 6-2: India trails by a point after the first three shots in set 4. However, two 10s in a row sees the men's team wrap it up in quick time and progress to the quarterfinals, where it is set to meet the Republic of Korea.
- 56 (10, 9, 9, 8, 10, 10) off the third set wasn't enough for India as Kazakhstan manages to hold on.
- India (52 - 10, 9, 9, 8, 7, 9) drops score but in the end it takes the two set points home quite comfortably.
- India with a score of 55 (9, 9, 8, 9, 10, 10) in the first set leads 2-0 over Kazakhstan (54).
FENCING: WOMEN'S SABRE TABLE OF 64
- Bhavani, who created history earlier by becoming the first fencer to qualify for the Games, has taken things a step further! The Chennai superstar cruises into the Round of 32 with an absolutely dominant performance. 15 touches to 3.
She will face fourth-seeded Manon Brunet of
France next. That game will begin at 7:40 AM IST.
- 14-3: The Tunisian delays the inevitable with two back-to-back points. One more point to go for Bhavani to enter the history books. AGAIN.
- Ben Azizi gets her first point only moments after the first half as Bhavani lets out a cry of frustration. 9-1.
- Forced to parry next, Bhavani couldn't care less as she goes on to register an 8-0 lead at the break. She is making things look easy here.
- Bhavani charges in aggressively to score the first two touches.
Woah!
DID YOU KNOW?
Eight-time national champion Bhavani Devi has is the first Indian fencer to have qualified for the Tokyo Games through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) method. Click
here to find out more about her.
INDIANS IN ACTION ON JULY 26
- FENCING:Women's Sabre Table of 64 -Bhavani Devi vs Nadia Ben Azizi – 5:30 AM IST
- ARCHERY:Men’s team round of 16 -
Atanu Das, Pravin Jadhav, Tarundeep Rai – 6:00 AM IST
Men’s team medal rounds (Subject to qualification) – 10:15 AM IST - BADMINTON:Men’s doubles group play – Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty vs Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo – 9:10 AM IST
- TENNIS:Men's singles –Sumit Nagal vs Daniil Medvedev - Not before 10:30 AM IST
- BOXING: Middleweight – Ashish Kumar vs Erbieke Tuoheta – 3:06 PM IST
- HOCKEY:Indian women’s team vs Germany – 5:45 PM IST
- SAILING:Men’s laser race 3 –
Vishnu Saravanan – 8:35 AM IST
Women’s Laser Radial race 3 – Nethra Kumanan – 11:05 AM IST - SHOOTING:Men’s skeet qualification day 2 –
Angad Bajwa, Mairaj Ahmad Khan – 6:30 AM IST
Final (Subject to qualification) – 12:20 PM IST - SWIMMING:Men’s 200m butterfly heats – Sajan Prakash – 3:46 PM IST
- TABLE TENNIS:Men’s singles Round 2 –
A. Sharath Kamal vs Tiago Apolonia – 6:30 AM IST
Women’s singles round 2 – Sutirtha Mukherjee vs Fu Yu – 8:30 AM IST
Women’s singles round 3 – Manika Batra vs Sofia Polcanova – Not before 11:00 AM IST
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