With the top three seeds getting a bye into the quarterfinals, the remaining 10 ladies were in action in the round of 16 looking to get to the remaining five spots in the badminton singles in Rio. Out of the five, three of them saw seeds going up against each other and fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon and eighth seed Tai Tzu Ying were knocked out by their lower ranked opponents.

Two of the top 10 seeds fall

So far in the badminton, seeds have progressed from the group play with the exception of fifth seed and 2012 bronze medallist Saina Nehwal. She was followed by fourth seed Intanon who was taken out by Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the round of 16. The Indonesian was in front for most parts of the first game holding the lead at 16-13 at one point. Yamaguchi stepped up her game and the game was leveled at 17-17. The Japanese shuttler was riding the momentum and set up triple game points at 20-17. Intanon saved two but couldn’t save the third as the Japanese grabbed the first game 21-19.

The second game was a closer affair and with Intanon having a slender 14-13 advantage, Yamaguchi once more turned the tide winning seven straights points for a massive 20-14 lead. It was do-or-die for the fourth seed but she could not hang on and eventually succumbed 21-19, 21-16.

Yamaguchi knows out the fourth seed | Photo: Lawrence Griffiths/Getty Images
Yamaguchi knocks out the fourth seed | Photo: Lawrence Griffiths/Getty Images

In another all-seeded match, India’s V.Sindu Pusarla continued carrying her flag high defeating eighth seed Tai 21-13, 21-15. Ninth seed Pusarla was consistent and had control of the match the entire time. Tai was not able to claw her way back trailing for most of the match and the Indian progressed to the quarterfinals where she faces second seed Wang Yihan.

Pusarla moves on at Rio | Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Pusarla moves on at Rio | Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Run ends for lowest ranked player

Maria Ulitina, the lowest ranked player left in the draw, took out India’s Nehwal in impressive style in the group play. She was up against Thailand’s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk looking to continue her good run. However, her journey ended in straight games with the 12th seed progressing with a 21-14, 21-16 victory. Buranaprasertsuk had a huge lead in the first game where she was barely troubled. In the second, Ulitina fought back and had a four-point lead over the Thai at 13-9. However, she could sustain and Buranaprasertsuk reeled off seven points in a row before eventually closing out the win in 40 minutes.

Buranaprasertsuk is through to the quarterfinals | Photo: Jim Watson/Getty Images
Buranaprasertsuk is through to the quarterfinals | Photo: Jim Watson/Getty Images

Rest of the results

Japan had much reason to cheer when Nozomi Okuhara joined compatriot Yamaguchi into the quarterfinals. Seeded six, she eased past Bae Yeon Ju of Korea 21-6, 21-7 needing just 33 minutes.

Korea still managed to get into the quarterfinals when seventh seed Sung Ji Hyun beat Linda Zetchiri 21-15, 21-12. She has a daunting task in her hands though as she will go up against top seed Carolina Marin in the quarterfinals.

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About the author
Pavitra Ganesan
Tennis enthusiast and aspiring journalist.