Bitburger Open: Indian challenge ends

The Indian challenge fizzled out in the 2012 Bitburger Open with both Anup Sridhar and Arvind Bhat bowing out in the pre-quarterfinal stage.

Anup put a determined fight against 3rd seed and world number 29 Rajiv Ouseph of England before going down in three games 18-21, 21-16, 11-21.

The 29-year-old Indian, ranked 134th in the world, fought tooth and nail in the first game losing it narrowly before staging a fine comeback to pocket the second game. Ouseph assumed control over Anup in the decider as he reeled off nine consecutive points to close out the game at 21-11 to book a berth in the quarterfinals.

However, in stark contrast, world number 79 Arvind Bhat capitulated meekly to 11th seed and world number 52 Andre Kurniawan Tedjono of Indonesia in straight games 16-21, 16-21 in just 39 minutes.

Both Anup and Arvind, however, did manage to show the exit door to seeded players in their earlier rounds. Anup Sridhar upset 10th seed and world number 48 Brice Leverdez of France in straight games 21-15, 24-22 in the second round, while Arvind scalped fourth seed and world number 30 Jen Hao Hsu of Chinese Taipei in straight games 21-14, 21-17 in the first round.

It may be mentioned here that India’s Chetan Anand had won the 2008 Bitburger Open, pipping Arvind Bhat in the summit clash.