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The Indian pair started off on a bright note but then fell away once the World Number 1 pair got going. They played few bright strokes but then wilted in the wake of sustained pressure. Jwala Gutta was put under some serious pressure, both at the net and at the baseline, and she did not respond in a positive vein. It is back to the drawing board, but there were a few positives to build on from.
The Japanese showed why they are the top-ranked pair, looking very assured at the far end as well as near the net and combined their drop shots with the smashes very well. Their performance will certainly cause the other pairs in the group to prepare a lot more before facing up to them in their matches.
That's it. Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo beat Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa 21-15 21-10
10 match point opportunities
Ashwini smashes one onto her her own net. 19-10
Wide from Jwala. its 18-10 and the end seems near.
An error at the net makes it 17-10
Superb smash from the Japanese pair. Jwala and Ashwini have no answer to that. 17-8
A well-oiled engine, that is what this Japanese duo looks like.
Lovely overhead drop shot from Takahashi. 16-8
A sensational rally ends with a wide flick from Matsutomo. 15-8
Key key phase in the game.
Long from Takahashi. 14-7
An error at the net from Jwala on that occasion. Not looking good for India. 14-6
Jwala and Ashwini need a big performance from here on in, to take the match into a decider.
After the interval in the second game, the pair of Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo from Japan lead by 11-6.
Nice overhead defensive hit from Jwala. 10-
Lovely use of the court by the Japanese duo, astute indeed!
Net skill from the Matsutomo. 10-5
5-9
Jwala unable to get down and recover on that occasion. 4-9
The Indian duo now trail 4-8 after a down the line smash
The Japanese pair are unleashing constant smashes and the returns from the Indian duo is not coming.
Lovely play near the net from the Japanese pair. They now lead 2-6
Jwala Gutta has been put under the spotlight once again, the Japanese duo are smacking the shuttle right at her.
Cross court smash proves too good for Jwala. India trail 1-5 in the second game
Straight smash from Takahashi doesn't get the right return from Ponnappa. 2-1
Superb cross court hit from Ashwini, clever hit, and this time, hits it perfectly on the line. 1-1
Wide from Jwala on that occasion. Seemed a fine cross-court hit, but wide. 1-0 to Japan
We are underway in the second game. Japan to serve
They will need a good start in the second game and more crucially will need to sustain that lead once they get it
Gutta and Ponnappa looked good in the early parts of the game but after the interval, where they trailed 8-11, they couldn't find their way into the match and eventually lost the game 21-15
That's the game for Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo. 21-15
5 game point opportunities for the Japanese pair
Japan are two points away from winning this opening game. 19-15
Lovely Cross court shot into the deep end gives Japan another point.18-15
Thats out from Matsutomo. 15-17
The Japanese pair are just 4 points away from sealing the opening game. Gutta once again could not respond to the pressure, plays it wide. The Japanese lead 17-14
Gap down to two with that long hit from Japan. 14-16
Key phase in the game, Gutta and Ponnappa need to close the gap down here. 13-16
12-15 now.
A terrific rally ends with an error from Takahashi12-14
Good recovery from Gutta there to keep the rally going. Longest rally so far and the Indian duo get the point. Lovely!
An error from Takahashi at the net makes it 11-13
The Indians need a good start after the break.,They trail 10-12 at the moment
We are back underway.
Hawkeye on all three Courts at #Olympics #RioBad2016
— Steen Schleicher (@steenschleicher) August 11, 2016
At the interval in the opening game, the pair of Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo from Japan lead by 11-8.
Once again Jwala showing very good skills at the net. A fine drop shot makes it 10-8
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