Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
Tokyo Paralympics Day 1, 25th August: Sonalben and Bhavina Patel lose their first match - LIVE Updates, blog
Kickstarting action for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Paralympics will be medal hopeful paddlers from Gujarat - Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel.
Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel will face off in the finals of CWG 2022
Welcome to the LIVE blog of The Bridge for Day 1 of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Sonalben Patel, who is ranked World No. 19 and placed in Group D of the Class 3 event, lost a closely fought encounter 2-3 against the 2016 silver medallist Li Qian.
On the other hand, World No. 8 Bhavina Patel, fell to a 3-0 straight games defeat against China's Zhou Ying to bring down curtains on the Indian challenge in Tokyo for the day.
You can read the match report of Sonalben Patel and Bhavina Patel here.
Live Updates
- 25 Aug 2021 2:41 AM GMT
Li Qian takes the lead!
Rallies don't exceed beyond 8 shots now as Li Qian takes an alarming 4 point lead with 2-6 on the board!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:40 AM GMT
The decider is ON!
Good start by both players in the final game as they, once again, as per the mood of the match, keep abreast of each other!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:38 AM GMT
Yes, folks, we are in for a decider now!
Li Qian doesn't waste too much time as she wraps up the fourth game comprehensively in 6 minutes with the scoreboard reading 7-11!
We are into a final deciding game now! - 25 Aug 2021 2:37 AM GMT
The rallies have gotten longer again as the battle intensifies at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:36 AM GMT
Another comeback from Sonal around the corner?
Sonal stays right behind her and does not led the lead expand. The Indian, with a 2 game lead, now lags behind at 6-8 in the fourth game!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:35 AM GMT
But even with nerves, Qian manages to find her calmness as she takes a two point cushion lead at 5-7!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:35 AM GMT
Li Qian, who has been a silver medallist at 2016 Rio Paralympics and a gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics is now showing her nerves against the debutant from India!
Let's go, Sonal! - 25 Aug 2021 2:33 AM GMT
Phew, we are into Game 4!
It's getting really tight here as both players are amping it up!
Short rallies so far now, we are at 3 ALL! - 25 Aug 2021 2:32 AM GMT
WHAT A PHENOMENAL COMEBACK FROM SONAL!
Sonalben takes the third game in pure style, what a performance!
Edging past Li Qian, Sonalben takes a 2 game lead in this match with a 17-15 victory in the third game! - 25 Aug 2021 2:30 AM GMT
We have touched the 8 minute mark in the third game and woah, both Sonal and Li Qian are really at it - firing powerful forehands and being at 14 ALL!
