Young India shuttler Anupama Upadhyaya sprung a major surprise in the first round of the China Masters, as she got the better of World No. 12 Beiwen Zhang of the USA 21-17, 8-21, 22-20. The World No. 48 was in total control in the match, and displayed with her attacking style of play, that she can take of the best in the world.
The match started with Anupama Upadhyaya in total control and took a lead of 10-3 in the first set, and then went on to 18-11 lead thereafter. The second game was a struggle for the India, as she could not capitalise on her first set win. She trailed throughout, as Beiwen Zhang showed her class.
The third game also didn’t start well for the Indian, and was trailing 2-5, but attacking play meant, she could overcome the deficit and went on to take 18-14 lead. Though it must be admitted that the match became really close towards the end. Both the players reached 20-20 at one point, but Anupama held her nerve, and won the match 22-20.
Having said that, it wasn’t a great day for the other Indian shuttlers in fray. Aakarshi Kashyap lost her 1st round match against T Miyazaki of Japan in straight games 21-10, 21-18. In the men’s singles, Priyanshu Rajawant was also ousted in the first round after he lost to Indonesia’s Dwi Wardoyo 24-22, 13-21, 18-21.
Though the mixed doubles pair of Sikki Reddy/Sumeeth Reddy progressed to the next round after a 2-1 win over their US opponents. Meanwhile, day 2 is going to be mighty important for the Indians, as the likes of Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu will play their first matches at the China Masters.
Lakshya will be up against old foe, Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, and Sindhu will play Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand.
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