India battles past Germany 3-2 in Thomas Cup

Sendai, Japan, Apr 29 (UNI) Rupesh Kumar and V Diju raised their game when it mattered most and won the last doubles tie as India overcame a gritty Germany 3-2 to move into the pre-quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup here today.

In their second league match of fluctuating fortune, Chetan Anand was beaten in the first singles but Anup Sridhar drew parity in the second. Arvind Bhat also won his singles match as India wrestled lead but Thomas Kurien and Jaseel Ismail lost their doubles match to undo the good work and then it was left to Rupesh and Diju to see India through and they did it in style, beating their rivals in straight games.

In the pre-quarterfinals, India takes on New Zealand.

World No. 24 Chetan Anand was not in his elements against Bjoern Joppien and looked out of steam as it progressed as the German tamed him 21-17, 21-12 and India had the worst possible start in the tie.

In the second match, Anup Sridhar too was stretched in the first game even though he snatched it from Conrad Hueckstaedt. The German, however, soon came back into the match winning the second game and Anup finally came out of his complacence and went on to win the third game and the match 22-20, 14-21, 21-6.

Arvind Bhat, despite dropping the second game, kept the momentum going and his 21-14, 17-21, 21-16 win against Roman Spitko saw India snatching the lead with two doubles matches to go.

Thomas Kurien and Jaseel Ismail, however, forfeited the advantage and as they tamely went down to Kristof Hopp and Ingo Kindervater 9-21, 16-21 and the resilient Germans were successful to make it 2-2.

In the decider, Rupesh Kumar and V Diju kept their cool and never allowed any leeway to the German rivals Michael Fuchs and Spitko as they chalked out a straight game win, with the score reading 21-18, 21-12 in their favour.

Results: India beat Germany 3-2 (Chetan Anand lost to Bjoern Joppien 17-21, 12-21; Anup Sridhar beat Conrad Hueckstaedt 22-20, 14-21, 21-6; Aravind Bhat beat Roman Spitko 21-14, 17-21, 21-16; Thomas Kurien-Jaseel Ismail lost to Kristof Hopp-Ingo Kindervater 9-21, 16-21; Rupesh Kumar-V Diju beat Michael Fuchs-Roman Spitko 21-18, 21-12).

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