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 2:14 AM GMT
GAME POINT FOR SONAL!
We have game point for Sonalben as she is packing in quite a few punches now expertly!
The score reads 10-8 with Sonal in the lead! - 25 Aug 2021 2:12 AM GMT
Quick and short rallies are taking place with both players being hesitant to give away points for free. It's going very tight here at 6 ALL!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:11 AM GMT
GAME 1 BEGINS!
Quick start to the match and Sonalben is keeping pace with her opponent so far! Looking very sharp!
It is 2 ALL on the board! - 25 Aug 2021 2:09 AM GMT
The match will be contested in a best of 5 format with a player needing to secure 11 points at least to clinch a game!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:08 AM GMT
All eyes on Table 5 as Sonalben will clash with Li Qian!
Players have arrived on court and we will begin very soon! Get ready!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:04 AM GMT
Did you know?
The dimensions of the table and net used in Paralympic Tennis Tennis are exactly the same as those at the Olympic Games, with one modification for players using wheelchairs.
The table legs are fixed at least 40cm inside the end line, to prevent players from hitting the table as they approach it!
- 25 Aug 2021 1:59 AM GMT
We are about to begin!
Get ready as the wait is almost at an end now! Just a few more minutes to go before Sonalben Patel takes charge at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymanasium! Let's go!
- 25 Aug 2021 1:13 AM GMT
Sonalben will debut at Tokyo against 2-time Paralympic medallist
Sonalben has a tough challenge on her hands as she will have to open her Group D match against Li Qian of China - who has been a silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and a gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Games.
- 25 Aug 2021 1:09 AM GMT
Know more about Sonalben Patel - the paddler who will inaugurate proceedings for India at Tokyo!
A World No. 19 player currently in the Wheelchair Class 3 category, Sonalben Patel contracted polio at a young age which left her using a wheelchair.
But that did not deter the spirit of Sonalben who always loved table tennis, after seeing people play. While she was doing an industrial course at an institute in Ahmedabad, the superintendent of the institute, Tejalben Lakhia encouraged Sonalben to take up the sport and there has been no looking back since then.
