Shuttlers Srikanth, Sindhu make it to quarter-finals: Track and field athletes disappoint at Rio

Star shuttler P.V. Sindhu entered the quarter-finals of the women's singles event at the ongoing Rio Olympics by defeating Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei in straight games.

Sindhu dominated right from the start to defeat her highly rated opponent 21-13, 21-15 within 40 minutes in the pre-quarterfinal clash at Court 2 of the Riocentro Pavilion 4 on Monday.

Before Monday's match, Tzu-ying enjoyed a 4-2 advantage in head to head encounters against Sindhu. But the 21-year-old from Hyderabad was in superb form and dominated her opponent throughout the match.

Sindhu is expected to face a much tougher challenge in the last eight stage as she will now face World No.2 Wang Yihan of China. 

"I was basically alert to everything. There was not a particular strategy. You have to be alert on what to play and when to play. My opponent was a very tricky player. She was not leaving any shuttle, even though I was getting points or I was leading. Overall it was a good game and she played well," Sindhu said after the match.

"The shots were a mix of everything, not only on the body. Sometimes in the second game, I was hitting out on midcourt shots. But I was alert to everything, getting ready for the next point. Overall I didn't take it easy," she added.

The 21-year-old from Hyderabad admitted that Wang Yihan will be a difficult opponent, but is confident of creating an upset. 

"Tai Tzu-ying was giving very good flicks. She was attacking very good and even her drops were very good. But eventually it was a good win for me. I hope tomorrow is also a great one," Sindhu said. 

"But tomorrow is a tough game as I am playing World No 2. I will give my best and play my game. Strategy-wise I will discuss with my coach. I have played against her several times but there has been a long gap since then."

 Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth's entry into the quarter-finals also kept India's medal hopes alive while wrestler Ravinder Khatri also flopped in his bout.

World No.11 Srikanth continued his rollicking form to register a 21-19, 21-19 triumph in 42 minutes over world No.5 Jan O Jorgensen in the pre-quarterfinal tie at Rio Centrio.

Meanwhile, India's challenge in the boxing ring came to an end with Vikas Krishan Yadav going down 0-3 to Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals of the men's Middleweight (75kg) category at the Rio Olympics.

Vikas put up a strong challenge in the opening round before crashing out 27-30, 26-30, 26-30 against the silver medallist of the 2015 World Championships at the Riocentro Pavilion 6 on Monday.

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar created history when she finished fourth in the final of the women's Vault event, missing out on what would have been India's first Olympic medal in gymnastics by 0.15 points. 

Her effort in the final included the dangerous Produnova vault which has earned her widespread acclaim.

Lalita, on the other hand, became the first Indian athlete -- male or female -- to appear in the final of an Olympic track event in 36 years when she qualified for the women's 3,000 metre Steeplechase.

Lalita produced a brave effort in the final on Monday to finish 10th. She was in fiery form in the qualifying round as well, breaking the national record on the way to booking a berth in the final. 

Her effort in the qualifying round is especially praiseworthy as she recovered from a fall in the early stages of the race to take the lead at one stage before finishing fourth.

Disappointment was in store from the track and field events as Srabani Nanda failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the women's 200 metres after finishing 55th among 72 athletes in Round 1.

In men's triple jump, Renjith Maheshwary finished 30th to crash out of the qualification stage.