Saketh Myneni got himself in line for two gold medals by reaching the finals of both men’s doubles and mixed doubles events even as other Indian tennis players, including Sania Mirza, clinched three bronze at the Asian Games, here today.
Saketh and Sanam Singh overcame experienced Thai twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 4—6 6—3 10—6 in the men’s doubles semifinals, which lasted 67 minutes.
Later in the day, the big—serving Myneni combined with seasoned doubles exponent Sania to reach the mixed doubles summit clash with a convincing 6—1 6—3 win over Chinese pair of Zie Zheng and Ze Zhang.
The result meant that 28—year—old will have a chance to win two gold medals in his maiden Asian Games appearance.
Earlier, Sania and Prarthana Thombare settled for a bronze, losing the women’s doubles semi-final 6—7 (1) 6—2 10—4 to Chinese Taipei’s Chin Wei Chan and Su Wei Hsieh.
The fifth seeded Indian combo put up a brave fight before going down in an hour and 35 minutes. It was seventh Asian Games medal for Sania and first for Prarthana.
Yuki Bhambri clinched India’s lone singles’ medal in this edition, after settling for a bronze in the men’s event following a 6—3 2—6 1—6 loss to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the semifinal.
Yuki won another bronze medal for India when he and Divij Sharan, seeded fourth, lost 7—6 (6) 6—7 (6) 9—11 to Korean pair of Lim Yongkyu and Chung Hyeonas.