Diju-Jwala combo stays alive

HYDERABAD: But for the mixed doubles pair of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta, Indian challenge is over at the end of the first round of the Malaysia Open Super Series in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
While Diju and Jwala beat Johannes Schoettler and Sandra Marinello of Germany 21-12, 21-13 in the first round, women's doubles team comprising Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa, men's singles shuttlers Chetan Anand and Anand Pawar have all lost their first round matches.
Former national champion Chetan Anand suffered a straight game loss against Kazushi Yamada of Japan 21-14, 21-17. Yamada was in total control in the tie which lasted just 29 minutes. Anand Pawar, who made the grade through the qualifiers, went down fighting against Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand 21-17, 23-21. Pitted against an opponent ranked No.7 in the world, Pawar saved three match points in the second game, led his opponent at 21-20 before going down at 23-21.
Commonwealth Games gold medallists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa gave a scare to fifth seeds Jing Du and Pan Pan of China in the women's doubles. The Indian pair, who lost the first game at 11-21, took the second game at 21-16 but managed only five points in the third 5-21.
However, the mixed doubles pair of Diju and Jwala brought cheer to the Indian squad with a dominating performance against Johannes Schoettler and Sandra Marinello, winning at 21-12, 21-13. The Indians took an early lead of 9-2 in the first game and never looked back. The Germans found their rhythm in the second game and led the Indians at 10-7. But the experienced Indian duo notched up four consecutive points and went into the break with a one point lead (11-10).
Though the Germans made a valiant bid to comeback, the Indians scored seven consecutive points from 14-13 to close the issue.
In the second round, Diju-Jwala are up against fourth seeds Hung Ling Chen and Wen Hsing Cheng of Chinese Taipei. The latter had an easy outing against Chayut Triyachart and Yu Yan Vanessa Neo of Singapore 21-11, 21-12 in the first round.
Indian results
Men's singles: Kazushi Yamada (Jpn) bt Chetan Anand 21-14, 21-17; Boonsak Ponsana (Tha) bt Anand Pawar 21-17, 23-21.
Women's Doubles: Jing Du/Pan Pan (Chn) bt Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa (Ind) 21-11, 16-21, 21-5.
Mixed doubles: Valiyaveetil Diju/Jwala Gutta bt Johannes Schoettler/Sandra Marinello (Ger) 21-12, 21-13.