Rio Olympics 2016 Highlights Day 8: Sania-Rohan lose in semis; Lalita Babar into finals

Doubles Badminton: Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy win their final group match, 23-21 21-11 over Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa.

Doubles Badminton: Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy win the first game 23-21. 

Very tight finish to the first game but the Indians staged a good comeback to win it.

Now under way: Doubles Badminton

Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy are in action in their final group match against Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa.

Here's hoping @AtriManu and @buss_reddy end their #Rio2016 campaign on a high! #badminton #SmashKartaJa pic.twitter.com/xudXOhfkat

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 13, 2016

Still to come:

Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy will play their last group match in badminton doubles and hope to end their Rio 2016 campaign with a win. They are already out of contention for qualifying for the next round.

But there’s still hope for a medal!

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna will face either #USA’s Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock or Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek for the bronze medal play-off on Sunday.

Unfortunate heart-breaking loss for the Indians. They were so close to making it to the final but got undone in the match tie-break.

Credit to the Americans, especially Venus Williams, for stepping it up when it really mattered.

Mixed Doubles Tennis: India’s Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lose to USA 6-2, 2-6, 10-3 in the semis.

Venus Williams playing at another level in the match TB. USA now lead 6-3.

Both teams have had two mini-breaks each in teh match tie-break. 3-3.

Remember, the first team to 10 points with a difference of two wins.

Mixed Doubles Tennis: The Americans win the second set, 6-2.

We are headed into a match tie-break.

Another set point for USA as Sania Mirza nets a forehand.

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna save one set point. Deuce.

Americans on the ascendancy here pic.twitter.com/OUtBGVewuO

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 13, 2016

Small window of opportunity for India at 30-all but Venus Williams quickly snuffed it out with a great serve and some fanstactic returns. She’s playing much better now in the second set.

Sania Mirza to serve to stay alive in the second set. 5-2.

Crucial hold from Rohan Bopanna to stay in touching distance in 2nd set. USA lead 4-2.

Venus Williams to serve next. The Indians will look to target her to break back.

We have a contest on our hands pic.twitter.com/BjBv5OayeQ

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 13, 2016

In the second set, Sania Mirza is the first to drop serve.

Some excellent returning from Rajeev Ram and despite saving one break point, Mirza couldn’t hold. 3-1 to the Americans.

Mixed Doubles Tennis: Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna take the first set, 6-2!

The Indians have looked the far better team and playing some sensational tennis.

Rohan Bopanna is killing it!

First, a great backhand cross-court pass that just clipped the line. Followed it up with a forehand winner down the line!

And India break once again. 

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna are just one game away from winning the first set. 5-2.

Another comfortable hold for Bopanna and he puts India ahead, 4-2. He is coming up with the goods on hise serve so far. Some big, booming service winners.

India draw first blood by breaking Venus Williams’ serve to love! 

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lead 2-1.

Mixed Doubles Tennis:

Rajeev Ram starts off proceeding by serving first. Ready? Play!

Some big serve from the American and he holds comfortbaly 1-0.

Safarova/Barbora defeat compatriots Hlavackova/Hradecka 7-5, 6-1 to win the second medal for #CZE today. #tennis pic.twitter.com/SnkqUe37Id

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Warm ups - it's a gorgeous day, not much wind, not too cold - should be a great match #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/XR0SqT15KI

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 13, 2016

It’s time!

India’s Sania Mirza/Rohan Bopanna vs USA’s Venus Williams/Rajeev Ram for a place in the finals.

Tennis Updates:

Petra Kvitova won the bronze medal in the women’s singles event, beating Madison Keys 7-5, 2-6, 6-2!

She becomes the first Czech to win a medal in 20 years. 

Andy Murray beat Kei Nishikori convincingly, 6-1, 6-4 to enter the men’s singles finals. He is assured of yet another medal fo rGreat Britain, after winning the gold in 2012.

Tennis update

India’s Sania Mirza-Rohan Bopanna take on USA’s Venus Williams-Rajeev Ram in the semifinals. The match is scheduled 3rd, on Court 1 at the Rio 2016 Olympics tennis event.

BREAKING: Heartbreak for #IND as Mairaj Ahmad Khan fails to qualify for men's skeet event. #Rio2016 #shootingsport pic.twitter.com/BzRzpNpnUz

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Mairaj Ahmad Khan update!

Mairaj Ahmad Khan fails to qualify for #Rio2016 Men's skeet final. (Via ANI) #IND #Rio2016

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

BREAKING: Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa lose their doubles #badminton match to 21-17,21-15https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2 pic.twitter.com/Dk9IxMXiC4

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Bolt from the blue!

#UsainBolt finishes 1st in Heat 7 with a time of 10:07#Rio2016 #Athletics

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Mairaj Ahmad Khan to shoot for 5/6 qualifying spot in men's skeet event. #IND #Rio2016 #shootingsport

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Jwala Gutta – Ashwini Ponnappa lose 1st game 21-17 to Thailand.

Badminton
​
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnapa trying to win their last Rio Olympics 2016 match over here.

Meanwhile, #IND 's #badminton women's doubles match against #THA has begun. #Rio2016

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Meanwhile, #UsainBolt heat about to start. #Rio2016 #Athletics

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Mairaj Khan update

Mairaj Ahmad Khan currently in 7th position with 121 points. According to Abhinav Bindra, a shoot off will decide top 6 positions.

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: Disappointment for India as they finish last in the table. They will have to search for answers. Too many questions and at the moment very few answers. Yet the girls should be proud. They have made it to the Olympics and they need to be there. The Indian goalkeeper Savita did try her best but Argentina played at a different level.

Skeet. The sport that was ridiculed in Indian shooting has had the last laugh. Take a bow Mairaj Ahmed khan. You are a winner already

— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) August 13, 2016

Abhinav Bindra speaks on Mairaj Ahmad Khan

Likely shoot off for Mairaj for a final spot.

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 13, 2016

Hockey Updates: That’s it! The hooter goes and India women’s Hockey team fails to qualify for quarterfinal after 5-0 loss to Argentina.

What a feat by Lalita Babar!

As @gulu1959 points out, #ind first track & field individual finalist at #Olympics since PT Usha in 1984. Sums up significance Lalita's feat

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 13, 2016

Hockey Updates: Great opportunity for Argentina but Carla Rebecchi’s shot is saved by an Indian defender. Just around 7 mins left for Argentina and a quarter-final place.

Mairaj Ahmad Khan currently in 5th spot with a score of 24 in Series 5. #IND #Rio2016 #shootingsport

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Hockey Updates: It’s another PC. But Argentina are taking a referral. India don’t get the PC. Drop in intensity from Argentina. India taking advantage and playing possession hockey and moving forwards upfront.

Hockey Updates: Great opportunity for Vandana. But the shot is wide. Great run. And now they get a PC. With the way India are playing, they do deserve a goal.

Mairaj Ahmad Khan in 5th position currently with 22 points in Series 5.

#LalitaBabar had a timing of 9:19.76 and is overall ranked 7th for the finals that will involve 15 runners. #Rio2016 #Athletics

— Jaspreet Singh Sahni (@JaspreetSSahni) August 13, 2016

Men’s skeet update

Mairaj Ahmad Khan’s current score is 18 and he is in 7th position.

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: The best quarter for India in the match after the blitzkrieg in the 1st and 2nd quarters. 4th quarter begins. Doors are now closing on India. They have less than 15 minutes left in the match and in the Olympics.

Athletics update!

BREAKING: Nirmala Sheoran fails to qualify for women's 400m finals. #IND #Rio2016 #Athletics

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Hockey updates: End of Q3: A goalless one. India 0-5 Argentina.

In Skeet Mairaj needs 25 to make the final...lets see how this goes

— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) August 13, 2016

Hockey Updates: India on the attack. But Argentina defends well. There are gaps in the midfield which India is exploiting now.

Abhinav Bindra consoles Gurpreet Singh

Compliments to gurpreet singh on a fine performance.

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 13, 2016

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: rgentina change their goalkeeper. With a 5-0 cushion, they can afford to give Mario Mutio a match. Succi Belen is off. India get their 1st PC. But Maria Mutio saves it.

Sudha Singh finishes 9th in women's steeplechase Heat 3 with a timing of
9:43.29, out of contention. #Rio2016 #Athletics

— Jaspreet Singh Sahni (@JaspreetSSahni) August 13, 2016

Steeplechase update!

Lalita Babar qualifies for women’s 3000m steeplechase final.

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: Start of Q3 – Argentina straightaway into attack, looking for more goals. By the looks of it, India is going to have a tough time.

Sudha Singh finishes 9th with 9:43.29 in Women’s 3000m steeplechase in Heat 3.

Lalita Babar betters her personal best for 3000m steeplechase by 7 seconds. Will have to wait and watch if she qualifies for final...

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 13, 2016

Hockey updates: GOAL!! Indian defence torn apart as Argentina score yet another beautiful field goal. Delfina Merino goes in easily and her pass is swept into goal by Cavallero. India  need damage control.

Hockey Updates: GOAL! Relentless Argentina make it 4-0. 4 different scorers. India totally clueless. Agustina Albertarrio runs into the Indian circle and send in a cross which gets deflected off Indian defender Deep Ekka’s stick.

Hockey updates: GOAL!! Too easy for Argentina. Rebecchi slots it in from PC to make it 3-0.

Lalita Babar finishes 4th in Heat 2 of the Women’s 3000m steeplechase.

Hockey Updates: Savita again saving the field effort but Arg get their 5th PC.

Hockey updates: GOAL!! Granatto makes it 2-0 for Argentina. Wonderful solo goal.  Constant pressure on India pays off. Speedy move into the Indian circle and after picking up the rebound off Savita’s pads, Maria Granatto makes it 2-0.

Hockey updates: Argentina tested at the other end. But the Indian shot padded away by Arg goalkeeper Succi Belen. Argentina trying to push for more goals.

Rapid fire pistol update

Gurpreet’s final score in 25m rapid fire pistol event is 581/600. Currently ranked 8th. Top 6 go through.

Hockey Updates: GOAL!! Argentina take the lead via Martina Cavallero as she buries a PC rebound.

Women’s 3000m steeplechase: Lalita Babar in action now in Heat 2.

Gurpreet Singh ends Series 4 of stage 2 with a 97/100 in men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event.

Hockey updates: End of Quarter 1 – India 0-0 Argentina.

Hockey updates: SAVED! Savita to the rescue again as she dives low to the right and makes a save off penalty corner.

Hockey updates: India too hasty with their switching, giving away the ball to the Argentines. Great run by Argentina. But the cross doesn’t find any forward nearby. India totally on defense.

Gurpreet up to 8th position in men's 25m rapid fire pistol qualifying. Top 6 reach the semis. #shooting #Rio2016

— Jaspreet Singh Sahni (@JaspreetSSahni) August 13, 2016

Rapid fire pistol update
​
Gurpreet Singh jumps to 8th spot with a 97 in Series 4 at stage 2.

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: Argentina rotating the ball and easing into the attack. Ball streaks across the Indian goal line. It’s Savita who deflects the ball away with her pads. India going into attack. But the through ball is wrong. Argentina continue to build.

#Rowing Dattu Bhokanal finishes 1st in Final C with a time of 6:54.96 in men's single sculls. #Rio2016 #IND

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Rowing update

Dattu Bhokanal finishes 1st in Final C with a time of 6:54.96 in men’s single sculls.

Hockey updates: Good save from Savita. The Indian goalkeeper would have to be on her toes if she has to keep her team in the fray.

Hockey updates: Argentina into the attack. Already in the Indian half, pressing to enter the circle. India need to hold the Argentines. Giving away the ball would mean having Argentina counter attack.

Hockey updates: India vs Argentina is underway!

Hockey updates: India would love to go out on a high. It would be fantastic if they pull off a surprising win. But they would be equally ecstatic if they hold the South American giants.

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: It won’t be easy against Argentina. Though, of course, India hasn’t been playing at this level for more than three decades, yet a little more steel in the side could have helped.

As it stands Mairaj Ahmad Khan is set to go to the Men's #Rio2016 skeet event finals. #IND #shootingsport

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Hockey Updates: Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: Argentina has been having a bad run here in Rio. It’s surprising for a side as good as Argentina. In four matches, they have lost three and won only one.India are looking for their first win in the tournament. They have drawn one match and lost the others.

Perfect score for Mairaj!

Skeet shooter Mairaj Khan hits top form, scoring a perfect 25 score in series four. He’s currently ranked sixth, with the top six due for qualification to the finals of the event.

Hockey updates: India’s last match coming up in the women’s section – India Vs Argentina. Just 5 minutes to go.

Mairaj on track:

With the top six set for qualification for the finals in the men’s skeet event, Mairaj Khan is currently on the right track. The Indian shooter is currently in sixth place, with 19 points in series 4.

Mairaj climbs up the standings:

Mairaj Ahmad Khan currently has 17 points in the 4th series and is in the 6th spot. #IND #Rio2016

Live: https://t.co/f0yhqbb2R2

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 13, 2016

Long wait for Gurpreet:

Gurpreet Singh is yet to take a single shot all day today. But things have really worked out for the pistol shooter, as he has jumped to 11th place!

Marvellous Mairaj:

Mairaj Khan jumps to seventh place with 9 points in Series 4 of the men’s skeet event.

Road to Rio: Skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan finally gets a shot at Olympics – Firstpost

http://www.firstpost.com

Do us proud:

#ShootingSport: Best wishes to Gurpreet Singh for today’s event in Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Qual., Stage – 2. pic.twitter.com/l6PzPaJpLi

— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) August 13, 2016

Score update:

Gurpreet Singh completed the first stage of the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol round with a score of 100, 99 and 90 in Series 8, 6, and 4 on Friday. He was ranked 10th at the end of the day and will be looking to move to sixth or above, in order to qualify to the finals.

Let the shooting begin!

Gurpreet Singh in action for India at the 25-metre rapid fire pistol shooting event. Can he put up a good showing?

Shooting update

​Gurpreet Singh’s 25m rapid fire pistol stage 2 qualifiers will begin shortly. Stay tuned for LIVE updates at FirstpostSports.

Today’s Schedule (India)

To know more about India’s Day 8 Rio Olympics 2016 schedule, check out the link below.

http://bit.ly/2bekJ2b

India Olympics update

Other than golf, Indian shooters will be in the qualifying stages of their respective events. Gurpreet Singh will take part in stage 2 of the 25m rapid fire pistol event and Mairaj Ahmad Khan will take part in the skeet shooting at 5:30 PM IST.

#IND in action today : #Golf #shootingsport #Hockey #athletics #badminton #tennis #rowing #Rio2016

— IndiaAtTokyo2020 (@IndiaAtRio16) August 13, 2016

Good evening and welcome to Day 8 of India’s Rio 2016 Olympics. Today is an action packed day with Golf being currently in action. Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chawrasia will be looking to better their below par performances on the first two days and make Day 3 of golf a successful outing for India.