Sania-Bopanna pair, Indian men's hockey team in quarters

The mixed doubles pair of Sania Mirza-Rohan Bopanna and men's hockey team sealed the quarterfinal spots at Rio Olympics, even as India's campaign continued to be haunted by setbacks in archery, boxing and women's hockey on the sixth day of competitions here.

Indian shuttlers had a mixed day in office as women singles players -- Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu -- made a resounding start to their campaign but the women's doubles duo of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, and men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy lost their opening matches.

For the Indian archers -- Deepika Kumari and L Bombayla Devi -- and boxer Shiva Thapa, it was the end of the road.

Indian women's hockey team also put up a lacklustre performance, slumping to a 0-3 defeat against USA in its penultimate Group B match to lose its third successive game.
The Indian duo of Sania and Bopanna entered the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles event of tennis competition with a straight-set win over Australian pair of Samantha Stosur and John Peers.

The fourth seeded Indians, who are being touted as India's medal hope at the Olympics, won their opening round match 7-5 6-4 in 73 minutes.

In the quarterfinals, the Indian duo will take on the unseeded Great Britain pair of Andy Murray and Heather Watson.

The Indian men's hockey team, meanwhile, did not put a great show, wasting as many as five penalty corners seconds from the final hooter to go down 1-2 against Netherlands, but it still managed to book a quarterfinal berth.

India made it to the quarterfinals, owing to the reigning Olympic champions Germany playing out a 4-4 draw with Argentina in another Pool B match.

India are now on third spot in the Pool B standings with six points from four matches. Even if they lose against Canada in their last group match tomorrow, India are certain to make it to the last eight stage.

Argentina are at fourth spot with five points while Ireland are fifth with three points. Canada are at the bottom with no point. Top four finishers from Pool A and Pool B qualify for the quarterfinals.

Earlier in the day, London Games bronze winner Saina staved off a spirited challenge from World No. 73 Brazilian Vicente Lohaynny 21-17 21-17 in a women's singles match that lasted 39 minutes, while two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sindhu spanked World No. 64 Laura Sarosi of Hungary 21-8 21-9 in 27 minutes.

Saina will face World No. 61 Maria Ulitina of Ukraine in a Group G match and ninth seed Sindhu will clash with Glasgow Commonwealth Games champion Li Michelle of Canada in Group M to complete the preliminary group engagements.