It is rare to find two Indians battling for a medal in a multi-discipline event. One such opportunity was on view on Wednesday, when P. Kashyap denied Chetan Anand a second successive bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games badminton and ensured one for himself at the Siri Fort Complex here.
Sixth seeded Kashyap, clearly the best Indian man on view in the competition, duly collected a well-deserved medal following a not-so-surprising 21-15, 21-18 victory over Chetan, seeded three.
Although as per the seedings, Chetan began as a favourite, those who have followed the progress of the two players through the team and individual events here, Kashyap was expected to humble his senior colleague.
Cashing in
Kashyap made the most of Chetan's sluggish movements on the court to wrap up the first game comfortably. In the second, it was Chetan who got more opportunities to display his array of strokes. In fact, Chetan led 11-6 before Kashyap slowly turned it around.
A tiring Chetan committed a series of unforced errors while Kashyap concentrated on keeping the shuttle in the rear-court. Chetan's craft at the net was well met by Kashyap. Some uncharacteristic mistakes at the net from Chetan made it easier for Kashyap.
“I am obviously very happy to win a medal, particularly after the way I played today. In the past one year, on numerous occasions, I've lost from a winning position. It is a horrible feeling. That's why I am very pleased with the way I played the latter part of the second game.
“I think, on Tuesday, if I had played 50 per cent of what I played today, I could have won (the semifinal against England's Rajiv Ouseph),” said Kashyap.
“Now I will be off to play the Danish Open (starting from October 26) and then prepare to win a medal in the Asian Games (next month),” said Kashyap.
Chetan, visibly disappointed over the loss, said, “at least India won a bronze.” Looking ahead, Chetan said, “I will be playing to win the Dutch Open (from October 19). That will help me get back my confidence.”
Medal for Cann
Earlier, England's Liz Cann made it easily past Scotland's Susan Egelstaff 21-18, 21-16 to take the bronze in the ladies section.
In men's doubles, Singapore was assured for a bronze after two of its pairs lost in the semifinals. Eventually, Saputra Hendri Kurniawan and Hendra Wijaya took the medal by beating Chayut Triyachart and Wong Zi Liang Derek (Sin) 23-21, 21-12.
Tane He Tian and Kate Wilson-Smith, who came out of retirement for these Games, gave Australia the women's doubles gold by stopping England's Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White 21-23, 21-12, 21-16.
Singapore collected its second bronze of the evening when the mixed doubles combination of Chayut Triyachart and Yao Lei defeated Malaysia's Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying 21-14, 17-21, 21-17.
