Dutch Open: Indian duo Ashwini Ponnapa, Satwiksairaj reach advances to mixed doubles semi-final

NewsBharati    14-Oct-2017
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Almere, October 14: Star Indian shuttlers and duo Ashwini Rankireddy on Friday progress to the semi-finals semifinals in mixed doubles category of Yonex Dutch Open on Friday which is being held in Almere, the Netherlands. 

Indian duo of Ashwini Ponnapa and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy registered a comprehensive victory over Scot Evans of Ireland and Swedish Amanda Hogstrom by 21-18, 21-14 in a match that lasted for just 32 minutes.

The Indian duo started the game playing in defensive mode therefore at one point match was tied by 18-18 in the first set. However, Ponnappa and Satwik won three straight points to take the first game 21-18. In the second set, Indian pair ranked 129 in the world registered an easy win with scoring points at every interval to book their place in the semi-final.

To book the berth in finals, Ponnappa and Satwik will take on the eighth-seeded pair of Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith from England on Saturday. Interestingly, Ponnapa and Rankireddy are the last surviving Indian shuttlers in the tournament. Earlier, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa defeated Kristoffer Knudsen and Isabella Nielsen of Denmark in straight games to sail into the mixed doubles quarter-finals of the Yonex Dutch Open.