2010 gold medallists Jawala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa failed to recreate the same magic as their title defence lay in tatters after a 17-21 21-23 defeat against World No. 18 Malaysian combo of Vivian Kah Mun Hoo and Khe Wei Woon in the 41-minute summit clash at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Sunday.
Nonetheless, the silver medal is yet another feather in the caps of Jwala and Ashwini who had clinched the 2011 World Championship bronze and also bagged the bronze at the Asian Badminton Championship in April this year.
India's silver medalist Jawala Gutta and A Ponnappa, Malaysia's Gold Medalists Kah Mun Hoo Vivian and Khe Wei Woon, England's Bronze medalist Lauren Smith and Gabrielle. Photo: PTI
In the women’s doubles final, Jwala and Ashwini paid the price for committing too many unforced errors as they first blew up a narrow 15-13 lead in the opening game, before wasting a four game point advantage in the second game.
Ashwini was specially not in her elements as the Indian failed to connect her strokes, which saw the shuttles going wide and long, resulting in a lot of points for their Malaysian rivals.
The match between the two pairs -- separated by just three ranking points -- was a rollercoaster ride right from the start as the Malaysian combo could only earn a narrow 11-10 lead at the first interval.
Ashwini’s deceptive flicks earned India a couple of points after the breather but unforced errors by the Indian and a mistake at the net by Jwala helped Hoo and Woon drew level at 16-16.
Two wide shots then helped the Malaysian pair earn a three-game point lead and they soon pocketed it to grab a 1-0 advantage.
India had an early 4-1 lead in the second game but soon Hoo and Woon caught up at 5-5 and entered the break at 11-9 with Jwala finding the net once again.
With a precise return that landed on the line, Jwala helped India to claw back. The Malaysian pair then found the net and hit a long shot to allow India a 17-15 cushion.
India capitalised on the advantage and swelled the lead to 20-16 with a beautiful tap at the nets by Jwala, but they squandered the lead with a series of wide shots and the scores were tied at 20-20.
Hoo and Woon then didn’t spare anymore time and sealed the issue with a couple of smashes, which Ashwini had no answers to.
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in action against Malaysia's KW Woon and VKM Hoo. Photo: PTI
Jwala admitted that she made a number of mistakes during the match.
“From my side there were a lot of mistakes. I should have controlled from the net but I wasn’t doing my job. The excitement was too much, and from that the pressure also builds,” said Jwala after the match.
“For me every point is important. We have to learn from every win or loss but I would proudly say we have played consistently,” she added.
Jwala said while they failed to defend their gold from the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, bagging the silver was still a good performance.
“Last time we got gold and this time we got to the final, so it’s still good,” insisted Jwala.
Ashwini said although she was “irritated” with herself during the match, she was happy to pocket a silver.
“We gave it our best. I was irritated with myself but now I’m happy after winning silver,” said Ashwini.
