'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAIAQEAAAAAuv8A/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAgBAhAAAAAf/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABf/aAAgBAxAAAAA7/8QAIhAAAgIBAQkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgQBAwASBREUFSIzYaHR/9oACAEBAAE/AOEoNOpRZVCqumIOANXUPqRnf5wUdm2jFnKUI19XaH5n/8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/aAAgBAgEBPwB//8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECUf/aAAgBAwEBPwB3Wn//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Shuttler Parupalli Kashyap had already made history by becoming the first Indian man to make it to the quarter-finals at the Olympics, and would have been looking to go one step further and get into the medals zone. His opponent, meanwhile, required no introduction. World number 2 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia stood in his way, and it promised to be a difficult match for the 25-year old from Hyderabad.
The two last met in the Denmark Open in January 2012 where Chong Wei eased past Kashyap in straight sets. So with revenge and personal glory on his mind and with the odds stacked firmly against him, Kashyap went into this quarter-final clash hoping to cause an upset.
First Game
Kashyap started off the game, and Chong Wei showed his class straightaway with a lovely smash-and-drop combo that had the crowd gasping. A spectacular crosscourt smash from Kashyap brought even more cheers as the Indian won 4 points on the trot to make it 4-1. An unforced error, following a long rally, prompted groans from the crowd as the Malaysian clawed back the deficit to make it 3-5, Kashyap still leading. Chong Wei soon wrestled back the serve with a deep smash, but Kashyap’s drop volley proved too good for him. Kashyap followed that up with a powerful smash to take a commanding lead at 9-4. You wouldn’t have guessed he was playing the world number 2, such was Kashyap’s dominance. The Malaysian soon came to life and clawed back the deficit to just 2 points, with the score reading 10-8 in the Indian’s favour. What seemed to be a straightforward point for the Malaysian was overruled by the umpire, who adjudged the Malaysian had crossed the net with his racquet while making the winner. So, it was the Indian who went into the break, leading 11-8.
Trending
Post-break, a misjudgment on Kashyap’s part gave Chong Wei a way back into the game and he didn’t let go of the chance, making it 12-13. Kashyap still had a small lead, but the signs were ominous. With the score at 14-14, the Indian shuttler took timeout to steady himself. It worked too, as he sent down a thundering smash to get back into the lead at 15-14. The next few points were tight, with neither player attempting risks. But then Kashyap livened up the match with yet another trademark smash to make it 17-16 in his favour. The Malaysian though, had a few tricks up his sleeve as well, and showed the full repertoire of his strokes with a delightful drop-shot that had Kashyap scrambling across the court. The Malaysian soon had gamepoint at 20-19, and 2 brutal smashes were too good for Kashyap, who tried in vain to return them. The Malaysian started poorly but finished strongly and wrapped the first game 21-19.
Second game
The Indian started the second game on the defensive, diving all over the court, getting the shuttle back into play and forcing the Malaysian to play that extra shot. But Chong Wei’s smashes were too hot to handle, always finding the corners, and soon Kashyap was down 2-4. An unforced forehand error by Kashyap gave Chong Wei a healthy 5-point lead, with the score at 9-4. The Malaysian was running away with the second game and the match, so it was critical for Kashyap to go into the break with a positive mindset. Still, the 5-point lead persisted, and the score at the break was 11-6 in Ching Wei’s favour.
It was the Malaysian who was in total command now, calling all the shots and making Kashyap run all over the court. The Indian finally stemmed his opponent momentum at 6-13, and earned 2 quick points to bridge the gap to 5-points again. But, the same problem reared its head again – Kashyap was just not being allowed to hold serve for long by Chong Wei – and soon the scoreline read 16-8 in the Malaysian’s favour. Kashyap was hanging on, barely, and it seemed it was only a matter of time before he was put out of his misery. The highlight of the match was soon to come, as Chong Wei put away a backhand smash, arguably the best shot of the match. The Malaysian now had a commanding 10-point lead, and at 19-9, seemed to be on his way to the semis. Chong Wei soon had a scarcely believable ten matchpoints at 20-10. It was all that he needed, and the Malaysian close out the second game 21-11.
A good fight by the Indian, but there was a vast difference in class between the 2 players. Chong Wei appeared rusty in the first game, but the second game was a no-contest really.
It’s Chong Wei who moves into the semis 21-19, 21-11. Unlucky for Kashyap, he came up against a player in irresistible form.
