9) Sania-Bopanna win first set comfortably before going down in the semi-finals
The semi-final loss against Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram carried into the bronze medal match against Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecka of Czech Republic with the Indian pairing going down tamely in straight sets. Earlier, they gave hopes of India's first medal at the Games by winning the first set comfortably before suffering a heart-breaking loss in the mixed doubles semi-finals.
10) Sakshi Malik ends India's medal drought with a dramatic win
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It was a story of triumphing against the odds. Sakshi’s fabulous feat in Rio de Janeiro on August 17, 2016, will remain as one of the most memorable chapters in India’s sporting history, along with those of Saina Nehwal, Mary Kom, and Karnam Malleswari.
Though the more promising players who were burdened by expectations denied us cheers, we can take heart that these young starlets will return again after four years. It should help a long way in raking in more metal in Tokyo if we groom our buds with the right nutrients for them to flower.
Samba was inevitably served spicy.
