Indian paddlers progress to quarters

Gunagzhou: Indian paddlers put up a good show today as both men's and women's teams advanced to the quarter-finals of the Asian Games here on Sunday.

Making a postive start to the day, the Indian women routed Maldives 3-0 and then Achanta Sharath Kamal starred in men's 3-1 win over Vietnam in the men's competition as he won two singles rubbers.

In the women's event, Mamta Prabhu, Madhurika Patkar and Kumaresan Shamini needed just 30 minutes together to win their respective singles rubbers and seal India's place in the next stage.

Patkar routed Mueena Mhamed 11-6 11-6 11-7 in just 12 minutes and then Patkar needed just nine minutes to dispose of Fatimatch Jumana Nimal 11-3 11-4 11-1.

Shamini sent packing Aminath Shiura Shareef 11-4 11-4 11-1 in the third singles.

With two wins and a defeat, India finished second in group B with five points.

Singapore topped the group with a clean slate, fetching six points.

In the men's event, Sharath beat Tuan Quynh Tran 11-3 12-10 9-11 14-12 to give India a 1-0 lead but A Amalraj's 9-11 11-7 10-12 7-11 defeat against Kien Quoc Doan levelled the tie.

Soumyadeep Roy again put India ahead with a 9-11 11-4 11-7 11-5 win over Huy Hoang Phan.

Sharath then took field for one more time and triumphed 13-11 11-9 6-11 11-9 against Kien Quoc Doan.

India finished second in group D behind leaders Chinese Taipei.

The quarter-finals will be played later in the day.