China Masters: Jwala-Diju ousted, Indian challenge ends

Indian mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju squandered a game lead to go down fighting against Korean duo Yeon Seong Yoo and Ye Na Jang in the semi-final of the China Masters Super Series at Changzhou on Saturday.

Jwala and Diju lost the match 6-21, 21-19, 21-19 in a 53-minute thrilling contest.

With the ouster of Jwala and Diju, the Indian campaign in the top tournament ended. Ace Indian Saina Nehwal had lost to top seed Yihan Wang of China in the women's singles quarter-finals on Friday.

The World No 56 Indian pair began on a strong note and looked set for an easy win as they took complete control of the first. Jwala and Diju took a 5-0 lead and then surged ahead 15-5 before winning the first game easily.

In the second game also, the Indian pair were ahead though the scoreline was a close one till the Koreans caught up with them at 15-15.

The Koreans then took a 19-17 lead but the Indians scored two straight points to level at 19-19 before their opponents won the second game 21-19 and level the match.

In the decider, Jwala and Diju lost steam and trailed throughout. Initially, the margin of score was small but once the Korean had raced to 18-11 it was all over for Jwala and Diju.

Though the Indians made a valiant fightback to take the game to 19-20, it wasn't their day as the Koreans booked a berth in the summit clash by winning the match point.