Qatar Open: Sharath, Sathiyan lose

Sharath Kamal was beaten by Jonathan Groth of Denmark.

A file photo of India's G. Sathiyan (left) and A. Sharath Kamal.

India's Sharath Kamal and G. Sathiyan lost to much-higher ranked opponents in the men's singles pre-quarterfinals of the Qatar Open table tennis championships here on Friday.

While Sharath went down without much of a fight to Jonathan Groth of Denmark, ranked 26, 11-7, 11-7, 11-2, 12-10, Sathiyan fought valiantly before losing to Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan, ranked 12, at 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-1, 11-4.

Earlier on Thursday night, Sathiyan held his nerve to outplay Yuya Oshima of Japan, ranked 27, in tough seven games, 6-11, 11-5, 2-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8 in the round of 32.