JOIN USThe top-seeded pair that ousted Mats Hukriede and Josche Zurwonne of Germany 21-9, 21-10 in their pre-quarterfinal match on Thursday, pulled off a comfortable 21-13, 23-21 win over eighth seeds Robert Blair and Dean George in the quarterfinal match.
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for India in the singles category as 11th seed Anand Pawar lost to fifth-seeded Eric Pang of the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Pawar, who had pulled off a stunning straight-game victory over top-seeded compatriot Chetan Anand to reach the quarterfinals on Thursday, bowed out of the tournament with a 10-21, 21-16, 6-21 loss to Pang.
Earlier, it was end of the road for last years’ runners up Arvind Bhat and Czech International winner Trupti Murgunde. Arvind played his heart out before going down to 14th seed Dmytro Zavadsky of Ukraine 18-21, 21-9, 17-21 in a 53-minute battle.
Trupti too lost to Polish Olga Konon 10-21, 9-21 in 24 minutes in the women’s singles.
In women’s doubles, Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurien duo was outclassed by top-seeded Dane pair of Helle Nielsen and Marie Roepke 19-21, 11-21 in the pre-quarterfinals, ending the Indian challenge in the women’s section.