India’s Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy lost their opening Group D match to the reigning world champion pairing of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia 21-18 21-13 on Thursday.
The Indian duo showed some excellent intensity in the opening game, matching their oppoent shot-for-shot, maintaining their patience to always keep the score in check. However, they could sustain the leas as and when they got it and eventually, despite saving 3 game points, lost the game 21-18.
The second game was a more one-sided affair as Ahsan and Setiawan showed why they were the defending world champions, combing some fine smashes with very good defense to put huge pressure on the Indian duo who had no answer to it and eventually won the game 21-13 to get off to a winning start.
Despite the loss, the Indian duo who haven’t been touted to progress from the group can take heart from their performance particularly in the opening game where they put forth a lot of fight and if they can cut down the errors and remain patient, then they certainly can attain a win in their remaining matches.
The Indian suo play their second match on Friday against the Chinese pairing of Chai Biao/Hong Wei.
FInal scoreline: Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan beat Manu Atrri/Sumeeth Reddy 21-18 21-13
