Ashwini-Jwala combination lose at Bitburger Open

Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa

The doubles pairing of Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta crashed out of the Bitburger Open in Germany on Thursday, going out to the Malaysian pair of Hui Ern Ng and Hui Lin Ng in straight games 15-21, 16-21 in a match that lasted 26 minutes.

Thursday marked the end of the Indian challenge at the event, as the other remaining contenders also bowed out.

Anand Pawar, after taking the first game, went on to lose to Ireland’s Scott Evans 21-16, 17-21, 6-21 in a tight contest.

Ashwini bowed out of the mixed doubles event too, partnering Tarun Kona, losing 15-21, 21-19, 17-21 giving the higher ranked Swedes a stern challenge.

This tournament is the second event for Ashwini and Jwala back together after last week’s French Open where they lost in the first round.

Earlier, they could not feature at the Denmark Open due to the Badminton Authority of India’s (BAI) suspension of Jwala Gutta.