Indian paddlers begin with easy wins

Melbourne, Mar 16 (UNI) Indian paddlers began their campaign in style with easy outings against weak teams as the men's team blanked their opponents in the first two matches while their female counterparts did not face any difficulty to win their opening tie in the Commonwealth Games here today.

In the men's team event, India downed first Kiribati and then St Vincent and Grenada with identical 3-0 margins in Pool-IV, while the women's team toyed with Fiji beating them 3-0 in Pool-III.

Indian domination was complete as all of them beat thier opponents in straight sets.

In the match against Kiribati, Soumyadeep Roy opened account beating Ioatene Tokannata 11-2, 11-6, 11-3. Sharath Achanta Kamal followed it up with an easy 11-2, 11-6, 11-1 victory over Allie Johnnie, while Shubhajit Saha did not have to exert much for a 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 win over Toaaki Taorabo.

Against St Vincent and Grenada, Sharath Achanta Kamal began with a 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 thrashing of Joseph Carrington, which was followed by Shubhajit Saha's effortless 11-2, 11-2, 11-2 victory over Sean Stanley and Soumyadeep Roy rounding it off with 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 win over Khalique Bailey.

With theses two wins, India are in joint lead at the top of the table in Pool-IV with hosts Australia, who also have won two ties. Other teams in the pool are Northern Ireland (one win), St Vincent and Grenada (two losses), Kiribati (two losses) and Ghana (one loss).

In the women's team event against Fiji, Mouma Das put India ahead with a 11-1, 11-3, 11-3 cruching of Shriti Jeet. Poulomi Ghatak toyed with Kok Venetia beating the Fijian 11-2, 11-4, 11-3, while Nandita Saha had to toil a bit against Qu Rujuanto for a 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 victory.

India are now in the second place in Pool-III behind Malaysia who have won their two matches. Other teams in the pool are Mauritius (one win); Wales (one win).

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