Tokyo Olympics: Tennis LIVE Day 2, July 25 — Sania Mirza/Ankita Raina gets knocked out - Updates, score, results, blog
In a bizarre turn of events, Indian duo of Sania Mirza/Ankita Raina are sent packing home after being handed a loss by the Kichenok twins.
Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina to feature on Day 2 of the Tokyo Olympics (Source: IANS)
Looking to get off to a winning start, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza will be joining forces with Ankita Raina to take on the twin sisters from Ukraine - Nadiia Kichenok and Lydumyla Kichenok in the first round of the Women's Doubles encounter.
For Sania Mirza, this will be the fourth straight Olympics while Ankita Mirza will be making her debut appearance at an Olympics with her Tokyo outing. For Sania, the Kichenok sisters are familiar opponents as well as partners, as Mirza has paired up with Nadiia very recently and together they won the 2020 Hobart International.
All in all, the match can get tricky, especially if Ankita Raina faces nerves during the crucial points of the face-off. It will be the onus of the 2016 Rio Olympics Mixed Doubles semi-finalist to take the helm and lead India to victory in this opening round clash.
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It's crushing how after being up by 5-2 in the second set, Sania and Ankita fail to clinch the match.
Only Sumit Nagal now remains in the fray to nurture Indian tennis hopes at the Tokyo Olympics.
Twitter erupts bitterly after this disappointing loss as the Indian women fail to make history, once more.
Such a sad turn of events.
Despite getting off to a strong start, the Indian duo of Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina fail to capitalise and are sent packing home.
The Indian comeback in the decider wasn't to be, Ukraine seals the match 10-8
7 points to take India back in the fray. Ukraine leads 8-7
After a fantastic first set...this is an embarrassing turn of events as the Kichenok twins are racing to victory here as they lead 8-1 in the third set tie break