Mixed day for Indian paddlers at Asian Games

India's women paddlers had a mixed day at the team event of the Asian Games as they beat Laos 3-0 but lost to Singapore by the same margin in Group B at Guangzhou Gymnasium on Saturday.

With one win and a defeat, India are placed second with three points, one less than group leaders Singapore. India now must beat Maldives on Sunday to make it to the next stage.

Meanwhile, chances of Indian men's team progressing to the next stage suffered a setback as they lost 0-3 to Chinese Taipei in Group D.

They will have to beat Vietnam in Sunday's tie to make it to the next stage.

Indian eves were off to a strong start as Kumaresan Shamini, Madhurika S Patkar and Mouma Das scored easy wins over their rivals.

Shamini thrashed Thiphakone Southamavong 11-5, 11-7, 11-4 in just 12 minutes. Madhurika then made it 2-0 in India's favour with a 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6 win over Sengdavieng Douangpanya in the rubber number two.

Mouma Das needed just 11 minutes to clinch the tie in India's favour as she drubbed Sengdavy Phiathep 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 in match three.

However, fortunes changed in the next tie as Madhukar, Shamini and Poulmi Ghatak failed to win any rubber against Singapore.

Madhurika made a spirited fight before losing 6-11, 3-11, 11-7, 12-10, 4-11 to Tian Wei Feng in rubber one. Shamini made it worse for India by losing 11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 5-11 to Yuegu Wang.

Poulomi was trailing 2-11, 1-11 against Jiawei Li when she opted out of contest.

In the men's competition, none of the players could win a singles match.

A Amalraj lost 9-11, 3-11, 6-11 to Chih Yuan Chuang while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Achanta Sharath Kamal went down fighting 11-7, 9-11, 12-14, 11-13 to Chih Chi Wu.

A win was imperative for India to stay alive after double the blow but Soumyadeep Roy could not bail out the side as he also went down fighting 11-5, 8-11, 13-15, 11-9, 9-11 to Chien-An Chen.