Deepika Kumari, after trumping the world no.8 Kristine Esebua of Georgia, was up against Italy’s Guendalina Sartori in the round-of-32 of the Rio Olympics 2016. With rain pouring down, the Jharkhand-born archer showed no signs of backing up and won the match 6-2.
With rain pouring down at the Sambodromo, Sartori started with a 9 and Deepika managed just a 7. The Italian then shot a 9 and the 22-year-old Indian managed an 8 only. Sartori then scored a 9 again and virtually sealed the first set to take a 2-0 lead.
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The second started with Deepika hitting the bullseye and scoring a 10 to which the Italian replied with only a 7. The Indian then got another 10 and Sartori shot a 9. Deepika then got a 9 and came back in the match, sealing the second set and bringing the match on level terms at 2-2.
Sartori started the third set with a perfect 10 and Deepika followed it up with a 10 for herself. The Italian then managed an 8 only, to which the Indian replied with a 9, taking a point lead. Sartori then got an 8, and Deepika needing 8 points, scored a 9 and moved ahead with the scoreboard saying 4-2.
The match went into the fourth set and the Italian started with an 8, to which Deepika replied with an 8 for herself. Sartori then scored a perfect 10 and Deepika equalised with hitting the bullseye. The third shot saw the Italian hitting a 9 and Deepika scored a perfect 10 to win the set and the match with it.
She will now face world no.2 Tan Ya-Ting of Chinese Taipei on Thursday at 5:30pm IST.
