India would possibly’ve misplaced 4-1 to China is the ultimate group tie on the Thomas Cup. But the singles arsenal reckons they’ll push the pedal once they play Denmark at 5 pm. IST. Sameer Verma talking to BWF after his shut loss to Lu Guang Zu within the third set, mentioned if the doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty get going, it’ll propel the three singles aces too.
India begin as particular underdogs in opposition to the house group and title favourites at Aarhus and with Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen are gazing a troublesome problem of their quarters. But Verma harassed that there’s a superb vibe going into the Last 8, primarily based on the great kind that Satwik-Chirag are at present taking part in with.
The Indian doubles mix had levelled 1-1 in opposition to China on Thursday, in a dominant win over He ji Ting / Zhou Hao Dong. Though it’s an extended shot, Verma reckoned that the presence of a buzzing doubles made issues fascinating. “I’d say 50-50…because our men’s doubles is playing well. So let’s see,” he advised BWF. Satwik-Chirag will play Kim Astrup – Anders Rasmussen within the first doubles.
China 🇨🇳 and India 🇮🇳 battle for victory within the final match of Group C.#ThomasUberCups #Aarhus2020 #RaiseARacket 🏸 pic.twitter.com/y7cNn3fGZ7
— BWF (@bwfmedia) October 14, 2021
It’s within the singles although that India might want to punch above their weight. Verma had 4 match factors that he flubbed, and can wish to make amends in opposition to Rasmus Gemke – although that can require the tie to succeed in the fifth rubber – a 2-2 state of affairs.
But Verma was glad along with his recreation till the win was snatched from him by the bouncy Chinese. “I was playing good, but in the third set I led 20-17 and last few points he managed very well. I need to focus on finishing. But movement, strokes was good…maybe little more focus is needed,” he mentioned.
Lu on his half confirmed unbelievable spirit to save lots of 4 match factors. “Very tough game, specially in the third at 17-20 down..but I didn’t think that much. Happy to win for team. I first started to make mistakes at 13 point mark. And he was good at net shots, drawing errors. In the end, I didn’t actually think…at match point,” mentioned the pugnacious Chinese.
Srikanth, Sai key
It’s been a torrid season for India’s males’s singles gamers with the massive wins drying out, and criticism piling with each loss. Rebuffing alternatives although, they’ve been prolifically responsible of. This is likely to be a superb time to select up their video games.
Srikanth went down in straight units to Shi Yuqi, however felt his recreation was on monitor. “I played well in patches, but am lacking consistency and I should work on it. But I’m playing well. Did give him too many points in a row, first and second set. If I can really cut down on easy mistakes I’m up there. I feel I’m one big win away,” he mentioned after the China tie. He is scheduled to go up in opposition to Viktor Axelsen.
Kidambi Srikanth (Twitter/BWF)
The small errors won’t be that small, if they’re cumulative. And the gifted No 1 for India might want to eschew excuses and again his recreation in opposition to the Olympic champion. “Cutting down on easy mistakes is important. I played well in parts. When the second started was doing well , but then gave him 6-7 points in a row…. If i’d avoided that, it could’ve been 15-all…or 16,” he harassed. The alternative is upon him once more.
Sai Praneeth might want to down Anders Antonsen. The trick-match might be the second doubles – the place Mathias Christiansen and Frederik Sogaard go up in opposition to Dhruv Kapila-MR Arjun – if it goes into the fourth tie.
Srikanth says he’s taking part in higher than Sudirman Cup. “I just need confidence (of pulling out) big matches. There’s 8-10 players playing extremely well in the world. I feel I’m getting there,” he mentioned. It gained’t get harder than the Olympic champion, albeit whom he’s overwhelmed earlier than, notably 4 distant seasons in the past.
