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TOKYO: Pakistani badminton player Mahoor Shahzad her Olympic campaign with a defeat against world number four Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the women’s single event.
Mahoor was outplayed by the Japanese opponent in the best of three games with a 21-3 and 21-8 defeat at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Tokyo on Saturday. The match ended in just 23 minutes.
Yamaguchi took only 10 minutes to win the first game 21-3. However, Mahoor showed some resistance in the second game, but only to lose that too by a score of 21-8.
Mahoor was outclassed by her Japanese opponent as the shuttler was unable to win two consecutive points throughout the match. Yamaguchi scored eight consecutive points in the first game and seven on the trot in the second game.
Mahoor was able to bag only two points with her service, while Yamaguchi made complete use of her service and bagged 18 and 15 points with her service in the first and second game respectively.
The 24-year-old Yamaguchi was naturally delighted with the win as she seeks to better her quarterfinal loss at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
“It was my first game of the tournament so there were a few nerves but I think I played well and am glad to get the win,” said Yamaguchi. “I thought I would be able to get a feel for the match through rallies rather than aggressively taking the initiative.”
Shahzad, the first badminton player from Pakistan to compete at an Olympics, admitted a lack of experience in international tournaments had cost her.
“Since I don’t play many international tournaments it was difficult to get adjusted to the environment of the court,” the 24-year-old said.
“It feels very good that now someone like me has given Pakistan representation in the Olympics. We are hoping that now we will have more representation in international tournaments.” Mahoor will face Britain’s Kirsty Gilmour on July 27.
