CWG 2014: PV Sindhu, RMV Gurusaidutt win bronze medals in badminton

RMV Gurusaidutt

Glasgow, Aug 3 (IANS): Shuttlers P.V. Sindhu and R.M.V. Gurusaidutt of India had to be content with the bronze medals at the Emirates Arena here Saturday.

In the absence of top seeded compatriot Saina Nehwal, India's best bet for the gold, Sindhu suffered a disappointing straight games loss in the semi-final to Canadian fourth seed Michelle Li. But the 19-year-old re-composed herself later to triumph in the bronze medal playoff against Malaysia's Jing Yi Tee.

Fifth seed Tee gave the Indian a tough fight in the first game to earn two game points. However, the second seeded Indian saved both and took the game 23-21 in 20 minutes.

World No. 11 Sindhu was far from her best in the first game but found some momentum in the second to seal it 21-9 in only 12 minutes, earning India's first medal from the discipline at the 2014 Games.

Earlier, the World Championship bronze medallist lost the semi-final 20-22, 20-22 in 54 minutes. World No. 19 Michelle had also beaten Sindhu in the mixed team quarter-final where India beat Canada 3-1.

Following Sindhu, men's singles fifth seed Gurusaidutt also won the bronze in a playoff by overcoming England's third seed Rajiv Ouseph in three tough games. Eventually, Gurusaidutt came out on top, winning 21-15, 14-21, 21-19 in just over an hour.

The diminutive Indian had earlier lost the semi-final 21-16, 19-21, 15-21 to Singapore's Derek Wong.