Jwala-Diju suffer second straight defeat

India's mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju are virtually out of the reckoning at the London Olympics. They suffered yet another straight-games defeat in their second group match in the badminton competition at the Wembley arena on Sunday.

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The 2009 World Championships winners, Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark, seeded eighth, proved too hot to handle. The 13th ranked Indian combo succumbed 12-21, 16-21 in 30 minutes.

The Indian pair was erratic and could not match their opponents, who were in control throughout.

Jwala-Diju failed to create any opportunity as the Danes pushed them on the backfoot right from the start and maintained the pressure.

The Danish pair initially opened up a 6-3 lead, and with the Indians faltering at the net and their shots going wayward, they extended it to 12-4.

The Danes moved comfortably to game point with a smash by Thomas, who also closed the game with a quick backhand return, which the Indians had no clue about.

In the second game, Thomas-Kamilla attacked from the start and surged to 5-0 lead. The Indians played some good rallies to catch up at 7-7 but could not stop the Danish duo who went into the break at 11-9.

After that the Indians were again left to do the cat up act. The did narrow the gap to 16-18, but Thomas-Kamilla had the last laugh and sealed the issue when Diju's return crashed into the net.

On Saturday, the Indian pair was beaten 16-21, 12-21 by Indonesia's Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir in less than 30 minutes

Jwala-Diju take on the Korean pair of Yong Dae Lee and Jung Eun Ha in their last group match on Tuesday.

Photograph: AP Photo/Andres Leighton