Rio Olympics Day 9: Valiant Dipa Karmakar finishes fourth, only bright light on a disappointing day

Watching the vault medals ceremony. Can't help thinking.......At the stroke of the midnight hour......could it have been......

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 14, 2016

An Indian finishing above China in #gymnastics. Who would've thunk! #dipa

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 14, 2016

15.900 for Simona Biles. Virtually assured of gold now. 

16.033 in the second vault and her average is 15.966.

Biles finishes first and Dipa Karmakar falls back to fourth spot.

Feeling absolutely gutted. 

But Dipa has punched way above her weight. Indians can be truly proud of her. 

15.266 for Pasekar Maria of Russia. 

15.241 in second fault and average is 15.253. She is currently first. 

High hopes on Dipa Karmakar. Starts with 14.866. 

Her produnova fetches 15.266. 

Average is 15.066. 

STEINGRUBER Giulia of Switzerland is the next athlete. 

She scores 15.533 in the first vault . 14.9 in the second vault. 

Average is 15.216

Fourth contestant is Wang Yan of China. 

14.866 for Wang in first vault.

15.133 in second vault. 

Average is 14.999

Horrible fall for  CHUSOVITINA Oksana from Uzbekistan. 

But she gets 14.93 in first vault

14.666 in second vault. 

Average is 14.816

Eight in contention and looks like contestant from North Korea has started prettty badly. Her average is 14.90 after two vaults. 

Now turn of Shallon Olsen from Canada. She scores 14.966 in the first vault. 

Olsen scores 14.666 in second vault. Her average is 14.816. 

Dipa Karmakar's event has started. This is women's vault final. Let's see if she can make history. 

Nasty fall for Hong Un Jong from North Korea. 

Hope. Belief 

The Indian flag fluttering at the Gymnastics arena - Karmakar is already a pioneer by reaching this final pic.twitter.com/UCrCTsmrpv

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016

The Indian flag fluttering at the Gymnastics arena - Karmakar is already a pioneer by reaching this final pic.twitter.com/UCrCTsmrpv

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016

Pretty much sums up the day.  

India @ Rio Today:
Hockey: Eliminated
Tennis: Eliminated
Shooting; Eliminated
Saina: Eliminated
Manoj (Boxing): Eliminated#Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Sania in tears at the media interaction - "don't have much to say to you guys right now, don't know where I will be in four years"

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016

We can only hope Sania Mirza comes back strongly.  

Hockey:

And it's all over. Indian boys tried valiantly but Belgians managed to keep them at bay. Finally Belgium won 3-1. They were the better team and dominated proceedings for majority of the time. 

Dreams of India winning a hockey medal thus gets a premature burial. India definitely is improving but they are still not top notch. This result perhaps aptly shows that. But well played boys. They have certainly done better than many of their more decorated colleagues in other disciplines. 

News Flash: #Boxing: Manoj Kumar eliminated in Pre-QF (64 kg) as he loses the bout against Uzbek boxer 0-3 #Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

So just Vikas Krishan as the sole Indian hope remains in Boxing. 

Boxing: 

Spate of bad news. Manoj Kumar has lost the first round of his last 16 bout. He is playing against Fazliddin Gaibnazarov  of Uzbekistan

Hockey: 

India has substituted goalkeeper Sreejesh and is looking to go all-out. Will the gamble work??

Badminton:

PV Sindhu has won. A hard fought victory. She sealed the third set 21-17. Finally her calm composure and pedigree boring fruit. 

Badminton:

PV Sindhu is playing an absolute thriller against Li Michelle of Canada. After losing the first game, Sindhu won the second and is now leading 17-11 in the third. 

Hockey: 

India's hope virtually over. Tom Boon has scored and now India is trailing 1-3. Can India score two goals in ten minutes 

Hockey:

And India has conceded another one. 1-2 now against Belgium with just 15 minutes to go. Can India turn the tables? 

No medal pic.twitter.com/D6JABT0lsl

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016

Tennis:

And it's all over! Sania- Bopanna has lost the bronze medal match. They never looked like winning managing to come back only sparingly in the opening few games of the second set. Overall Sania Mirza had a dull day in office. 

Sania- Bopanna lost 1-6 5-7 to Hracdecka and Stepaneck. 

News Flash: NO #Tennis Medal for India at #Rio2016 as Sania/ Bopanna lose Bronze Medal play-off match to Lucie-Stepanek 1-6, 5-7 #Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Tennis: 

Sania Mirza broken. She didn't manage to serve properly the whole match and that has now cost India dearly. 5-6 India trailing with Czechs on serve

Hockey: 

Belgium has scored just after the start of third quarter. Brilliant goal from Sebastian Dockier. 1-1 

#Badminton: Sindhu leading 12-10 in 2nd game #Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Hockey: 

End of second quarter. India is just about managing to hold on to its slender lead. But Belgians continue to probe deep and hard and may score any time. Two more quarters to go. 

Tennis: 

Massive hold by Czech lady Hradecká. India had a break point but it failed to convert it. They may rue this lost opportunity later. 4-4 in second set. 

Tennis

Comfortable hold for Bopanna. India ahead 4-3. Sania needs to hold her serve to put pressure on Czechs. 

Hockey: 

Indian team enjoying decent possession. They had a golden chance to make it 2-0 but squandered it. 

Badminton:

PV Sindhu has lost her first set to Li Michelle 19-21. It was a close game but Sindhu faltered at the end. Hope she can make a strong comeback

Tennis:

Indians have forfeited their advantage and Czechs have got their break back. It is 3-3 now in the second set. 

Women's Marathon at #Rio2016 - OP Jaisha (2:47:19) & Kavita Raut (2:59:29) finish 89th & 120th respectively.

— Sameer Shirodkar (@SameerSh29) August 14, 2016

Hopes were not really high but still this is a poor performance  by all accounts. 

Hradecka's serve has been broken. Brilliant play from the baseline by Sania Mirza. India lead 3-1 

Hockey

India has scored against the run of play! Akashdeep scored a field goal to give India the lead after end of first quarter. 1-0 for India. Belgium launched so many attacks but failed to break though. 

Tennis: 

India has made some sort of comeback. Stepaneck was broken by Sania- Bopanna and now Mirza has hold for serve. India ahead 2-1 in second set. 

Rohan Bopanna broken again! A complete catastrophe in the making!! 

Hockey: 

Cautious start from both Belgium and India. India will be wary of Belgium attacking line which has been in red hot form in this Olympics

Tennis: 

India has lost the first set 1-6. Rohan Bopanna to start proceedings in the second set. India needs him to find rhythm or the bronze medal hopes will fade soon. 

#Rio2016 In Women's Marathon, India's OP Jaisha finishes in 89th place with time of 2:47:19.

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 14, 2016

Bopanna finally manages to hold. India trailing 1-5. Is weight of expectation playing a negative effect on Sania and Rohan? 

Hockey: 

India vs Belgium hockey proceedings have now started. So many disciplines where Indians are playing but result is all the same sadly. Rio 2016 has been massive heartbreak so far. Can hockey players give us some cheer. 

Indians getting roasted in blistering heat!  

Indians wilting in the sun here - Stepanek on fire using all his guile and experience #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/XBI7su4w2y

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016

Indians getting roasted in blistering heat!  

Indians wilting in the sun here - Stepanek on fire using all his guile and experience #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/XBI7su4w2y

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 14, 2016

Badminton: 

Some good news for Indian hockey fans

Just in: #Badminton: Srikanth moves into Pre-QF as wins 2nd consecutive match; beats World No. 50 Henri Hurskainen 21-6, 21-18 #Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Currently the Czech pair leading 4-0. One way affair so far. Bopanna looks like a shadow of his dominating court presence yesterday. 

Hradecka is a doubles veteran and has won 19 WTA titles including two grandslams. 37-year-old Stepaneck has been a prominent name in both the singles and doubles circuit for a long time. Currently they are running away with the first set, completely dominating the proceedings. Seems like Indians are yet to overcome from their yesterday's soul sapping loss. 

Not a good start for Indian pair. Bopanna's serve has been broken. He didn't manage to get his booming first serves. India tailing 0-2. 

The bronze medal match in mixed doubles has started. Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza are up against Hradecka and Stepanek from Czech Republic. 

Can India finally get on board? We will know in an hour or so.

Complete domination from K Srikanth. Takes first game 21-6. 

Chain Singh finished 23 with 1169 points. Gagan Narang ended his campaign finishing 33th with 1163 points. 

Kidambi having it easy currently toying with his Swedish opponent. He is leading 14-5. Can he get India's campaign on track after Saina shocker? 

Badminton:

K Srikanth is currently in action. He is playing against  Henri Hurskainen of Sweden. Srikanth has taken an early lead. He is ahead 10-2. Winner of this match advances to the next round. 

Absolutely shocking performance from shooters who were supposed to be India's major medal hopes. 

Chain Singh just scored 380 out of 400 in the third series, a shocking downer after scoring 398 out of 400 in the second one. He was at 6th spot but failed to retain his intensity and lost way. 

End of dreams for Chain Singh! He is currently in 24th spot. He too has flattered to deceive! 

#Olympics Shooting Medals
2004: Silver (Rajyavardhan)
2008: Gold (Bindra)
2012 : Silver (Vijay), Bronze (Gagan Narang)
2016: NIL!!

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

#Athletics: Women's Marathon: O.P Jaisha at 67th spot currently (At 25 km mark)

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

After a perfect second series, Chain Singh is wavering and is currently in 11th spot. Can he manage to get his mojo back and end in the top 8? We will know soon. Narang meanwhile is in 35th position. 

Chain Singh currently in 7th spot with 903 points. Another touch and go finish in the offing! 

The third series has started. Chain Singh is in eighth position. Narang is 35th and is virtually out of contention for finals. 

Chain Singh currently in 6th spot. Can he keep up his consistent performance in the last series. A billion prayers for the young shooter. 

Badminton: 

K Srikanth to be in action shortly. He will be facing Henri Hurskainen of Sweden for their group H encounter. Srikanth had won his first match earlier. 

Marathon: OP Jaisha currently in 56th spot after 15 kms. 

Chain Singh currently in eight spot. He is yet to start shooting for the third series which he will do from the standing position. Top eight will qualify. 

Chain Singh in 9th spot currently. In kneeling he scored 391, whereas in prone position he has scored 398. Combined score is 789. Sebic Milenko from Serbia is leading with 793. Gagan Narang is in 37th spot with 773. 

Can Chain Singh reach the finals? 

#Shooting: At end of 2 series: Chain Singh at 789 points; At 11 spot currently. Final 40 shots left. Top 8 qualify for Final #Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Chain Singh currently in 9th spot. He has really picked up and doing commendably well. Keeping our fingers crosses! 

Not such good news from Marathon sadly. 

India's OP Jaisha in 47th place after 10kms. Kavita Raut  languishing in lowly 107th place. 

Shooting: Brilliant shooting from Chain Singh: Perfect 100, 100, 100 in 1st 3 series of Prone; Jumps to 11th spot now #Olympics

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Chain Singh giving some glimmer of hope. But after so many near misses, it is hard to feel optimistic.  

Shooting: Gagan Narang is languishing at 36th spot (out of 44 shooters)

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

In shooting, Chain Singh currently in the 14th spot. He has managed to make a comeback. But will it be enough. Only top eight qualify for the final. 

#Badminton: Saina Nehwal was in Group G with 2 other shuttlers. Each player playing each other once. Saina's record 1 win, 1 loss... (1)

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

... (2) : Maria Ulitina won both her matches; Only one from each group is through to Pre-QF. So Saina Nehwal Eliminated

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

And, Saina Nehwal is OUT! She loses second set 19-21. 

And that's the end of her campaign. 

 A lowly first round finish for 2012 London Olympics Bronze Winner. 

Real heartbreak for India. 

But credit goes to Ukrainian Mariji Ulitina for playing the match of her life. Not getting over-awed and absolutely owning Saina Nehwal, matching her step to step and even going one step ahead when it really mattered. 

Bad way to start the big day for India. 

Match point for Ulitina. 

Ukrainian leading 19-18. Saina clearly struggling 

Saina has just opened up a little lead. 17-15. Absolutely cracker of a match. 

15-15 currently. Great variation in pace, killer crosscourt smashes from Ulitina troubling Nehwal. 

Some wayward play from Saina Nehwal. It is hard to believe that currently world no 5 and 62 are squaring off. Even the commentators are surprised. 11-10 for Saina Nehwal currently. 

Same pattern of first game now being repeated. Ukrainian is making a comeback. Saina needs to keep her momentum to counter Ulitina's onslaught. 6-6 currently. 

Saina Nehwal playing aggressively in the second game. Has taken early lead of 4-2 

Massive shocker! Marija Ulitina takes the first game 21-18. Saina has to come up with some new strategy to change the tide. 

Really tight match currently underway. Ulitina now ahead of Saina. And now Ukrain player is up 20-18

Shooting:

After 3rd series, Chain Singh in 24th spot whereas Gagan Narang has dropped to 36th spot. Another dismal performance. 

Solid crowd support for Saina but Utilina punching above her weight. She is ranked 61 in the world. Score 15-14 in favour of Saina. 

Saina Nehwal's match has started. She got an early lead but now her Ukrainian opponent is fighting back. It is a close encounter. Saina leads 11-9 currently. First to reach 21 points (with difference of 2) will win the game. 

Not too much positive news from the shooting range. 

Shooting: After 2nd series of Kneeling: Gagan Narang 31st with 97+97 pts

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Shooting: After 2nd series of Kneeling: Chain Singh 37th with 98+95 pts

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Here are the rules of this particular shoting event

Shooting: 50m Rifle 3P Qual.:3 sets of 40 shots each. Shots will be taken in 3 positions-kneeling, prone & standing. Top 8 qualify

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 14, 2016

Not a good start for Indian shooters. After first series, Chain Singh occupies 20th spot and Gagan Narang is 26th currently. 

Gagan Narang and Chain Singh currently in action in 50 m air rifle 3 positions.  It is the final shooting event of Rio Olympics. 

Saina Nehwal to also feature in action shortly. She will be facing Ukrain's Mariana Ulitina. 

This promises to be a really big day! Let's hope that India can start strong. 

Reports coming from Golf action and it is not looking good. 

Final Rd front nine completed by @anirbangolf. Two birdies, one bogey and six pars. Currently at +8 & tied 55th. #IND #OlympicGolf #Rio2016

— Olympic Golf TeamIND (@OlympicGolf_IND) August 14, 2016