World Super Series Masters Finals: Jwala-Diju fail to clear final hurdle

Indian mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju suffered a straight-game defeat at the hands of top seeded Danish duo of Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen in the summit clash of the World Super Series Masters Finals in Johor Bahru.

Seventh seeded Jwala and Diju, who have been having an eventful season with two titles, lost 14-21, 18-21 in just 37 minutes.

The Indian duo who surprised many to reach the final of the season-ending tournament lacked consistency in smashes and long rallies though it was an even contest in net play.

"We didn't have a good start and couldn't make up later on. In the second game, we played better and at one point of time, we were leading at 16-14 but we committed some unforced errors in the end time as we were hitting the shuttle outside and it cost us the match," Diju said.

"It could have been better but we are not entirely disappointed with our performance. Of course, we are a little sad but then no body expected us to come so far. We never expected to reach the semifinals but we did," he added.