Olympics: Saina shines, Jwala-Diju disappoint

Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal won her first group match against Switzerland’s Sabrina Jaquet in straight games in the women’s singles badminton event at the Olympics here Sunday. The World No. 5 won 21-9, 21-4 in 24 minutes at the Wembley Arena. Saina next faces Tan Lianne on Monday at 2300 IST and that will be a must-win for her, since the Belgian has already won her game. Only one player advances to the round of 16 from a group of three. [caption id=“attachment_395550” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file picture Saina in action. Reuters[/caption] But Indian mixed doubles pair Jwala Gutta and V. Diju jeopardised their chances of making the knockout round after suffering a second successive defeat. The Indians, who were beaten by third-seeded Indonesian pair in the first match Saturday, Sunday morning to Denmark’s Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl in straight games, 12-21, 16-21, in a Group C match at the Wembley Arena. The World No.13 duo were no match for their eighth-ranked opponents in the first game, losing it in 13 minutes. They put up a better show in the second but it wasn’t enough to trouble the Danes. Jwala-Diju play South Korea’s Jung Eun Ha and Yong Dae Lee in their must win final group game Tuesday. IANS