Archery: Deepika Kumari in pre-quarters of women's individual recurve

Deepika Kumari advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the women's individual recurve event as Indian archers rounded off a good day in office at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Deepika also put up an excellent show as she comprehensively defeated Italy's Sartori Guendalina 6-2 in the 1/16 elimination after prevailing over her opponent from
Georgia, Kristine Esebua, 6-4 in the 1/32 elimination round. 

The 22-year-old from Jharkhand, who had lost in the first round in London Games four years ago, came back strongly from a set down to register a dominating 24-27, 29-26, 28-26, 28-27 victory in the end. 

Deepika lost the first set before hitting two consecutive 10s and a nine in the second set to aggregate 29 as compared to 26 by the Italian. After the first two 10s, Deepika sealed the set in her favour after her opponent hit a seven and a nine in her first two attempts. 

The Indian once again started with a 10 in the third set, while two 9s in the next two arrows gave her a total of 28. The Italian, on the other hand, managed just 26.
Heading into the fourth set with a 4-2 advantage, Deepika tightened the noose. While both the archers began the round with an eight each, followed by 10, the last attempt made all the difference. While the Italian shot a nine, Deepika hit the bull's eye to eke out a one-point win. 

Earlier, in the round of 1/32, Deepika beat her Georgian rival 27-26, 29-29, 30-27, 27-29, 29-29 to enter the next round. 

In the first set, Deepika won by just one point as she managed to hit a 10 with her second arrow as compared to none by the Georgian girl. After a 29-29 tie in the second set, Deepika hit the bull's eye in her all three attempts in the third set to surge ahead 5-1. 

However, she lost the rhythm in the fourth set, going down 27-29. Deepika bounced back and kept her nerves in the deciding set to tie the scores 29-29 and clinch the issue in her favour.

India's Atanu Das had also entered the pre-quarterfinals of the Individual men's recurve event on Wednesday. 

• Rio Olympics, on Rediff.com