Jwala-Diju pair out, Indian challenge ends in China

Indian mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju squandered a game lead to go down fighting against Koreans Yeon Seong Yoo and Ye Na Jang in the semi-final of China Masters Super Series at Changzhou on Saturday.

Jwala and Diju lost the semi-final match 6-21 21-19 21-19 in a 53-minute thrilling contest.

With the ouster of Jwala nd Diju, the Indian campaign in top tournament ended. Ace Indian Saina Nehwal had lost to top seed Yihan Wang of China in the women's singles quarter-finals on Friday.

The world number 56 Indian pair began on a strong note and looked set for an easy win as they took complete control of the first. Jwala and Diju took a 5-0 lead and then surged ahead 15-5 before winning the first game easily.

In the second game also, the Indian pair were ahead though the scoreline was a close one till they were caught up by the Koreans at 15-15.

The Koreans then took a 19-17 lead but the Indians scored two straight points to level at 19-19 before their opponents won the second game 21-19 and level the match.

In the decider, Jwala and Diju lost steam and trailed throughout. Initially, the margin of score was small but once the Korean had raced to 18-11 it was all over for Jwala and Diju.

Though the Indians made a valiant fightback to make the score 19-20, it turned out that it was not their day as the Koreans booked a berth in the summit clash by winning the match point.