Indian paddlers ousted from Japan Open

The Indian challenge at the World Tour Japan Open Super Series came to an end when local paddler Jun Mizutani beat Achanta Sharath Kamal 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 13-11 in the pre-quarterfinals of the $300,000 event here Saturday.

Earlier, Soumyajit Ghosh exited from the semifinals as he went down in straight games to Brazilian Hugo Calderano in the U-21 singles. The Brazilian won 11-9, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.

Sharath was kept on a tight leash from the beginning by the classy Japanese and it took a toll on a normally fighting Indian. Unfortunately, Sharath was rendered clueless as Mizutani kept exploiting his backhands.

As for the U-21 semis, Hugo matched stroke for stroke and did not give much leeway to Ghosh. However, the Indian could not sustain the pace and the Brazilian was clinical in his approach to finish the match in his favour.

"I made far too many mistakes and could not reply as well as I should have to my rival. He seized the chances and scored many winners of my negative play," said Ghosh, who had beaten Hugo in the Brazil Open two years ago.

"The twin tour of Korea and Japan has given our paddlers very good match practice and they have done reasonably well in the two top-class events. I am happy for their good showing," said India coach Peter Engel.

India's men paddlers will return home before departing for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next month while the women, who are training in China, will join them later.