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India’s Kashyap Parupalli went into his round-of-16 match against Sri Lanka’s Niluka Karunaratne as firm favourite. However, with nerves playing their part, Kashyap would have been certain to not underestimate his opponent. Two of the three unseeded players to reach the knock-outs were in this match, each determined to make his country proud.
First game
Karunaratne came out all guns blazing, and thanks to a couple of errors from the Indian, raced to a 6-1 lead. The surprise entrant to the knock-outs seemed to be coasting along, before Kashyap pulled things back, grabbing four straight points to put the score at 6-5. Kashyap seemed to have settled in by now, and soon took a two point lead at 7-9. A change of shuttle cock failed to stem the tide for the Sri Lankan, and Kashyap went into the break leading by four points, the score at 7-11. Parupalli’s serve proved nigh impossible to break for Karunaratne, taking the score to 8-13. A long well-contested rally, where Kashyap spurned an opportunity to finish off the point, went to the Sri Lankan, putting the score at 10-13. An error of judgement from Karunaratne saw him concede a point, as a shot he thought was going long dropped on the line, score at 12-17. Shoddy play from the Sri Lankan gave Kashyap 6 game points, and the Indian wrapped the game up at 21-14.
Second game
Karunaratne enjoyed the better of the opening exchange in the second game; unforced errors from the Indian giving him a 6-2 lead. This pattern continued, with Kashyap leaking points, in spite of dominating most of the play. They went into the break at 11-3, a whopping eight point lead for Karunaratne. Kashyap did not enjoy much luck post the break either, Karunaratne running away with the game, leading by ten at 16-6. There was just no stemming the tide for the Indian, falling further behind to trail by 12 points at 20-8. Kashyap did put together a comeback of sorts, rallying well to 20-15. Eventually though, the run came to an end, the second game going to the Sri Lankan 21-15.
Third game
The build-up to the third game certainly had the Indian camp in better spirits, courtesy the seven point rally. Cautious play took precedence, neither player wanting to concede the advantage, scores level at 3-a-piece. Great defensive play from the Sri Lankan saw him take an excellent point home, score 4-3. A cautious approach continued, scores tied up at 5-all, after a leave from Kashyap caught the line and was adjudged in. Kashyap began to pull away, pegging distance between him and Karunaratne, racing to a six point lead, going into the interval at 5-11. Kashyap held his nerve, amid loud cheers from neighbouring courts, to keep his advantage at 6-12. Kashyap continued to gradually stretch his lead, pulling away to a nine point lead at 7-16. All attempts from the Sri Lankan went in vain, the Indian cruising to an eleven point lead, at 9-20, before wrapping the game up 21-9.
With this win, Kashyap is through to the Quarter-finals where it is highly likely he will have to take on Malaysian World number 1, Lee Chong Wei. No matter who he faces, we wish him victory!
Result: Parupalli Kashyap (IND) bt Niluka Karunaratne (SL) 21-14 15-21 21-9
