Very good day that was only missing the medal for India to celebrate.

Badminton (Men’s and Women’s Singles)

She needs to do what she hadn’t done so far in semis. (i.e) beat Yihan Wang

In the first match of the day, Saina Nehwal faced Denmark Tien Baun in quarter finals. Although Saina is expected to win, Baun won’t go without fighting. Saina took the first set 21-15 but Baun came back stronger in 2nd set. Baun played aggressively and watchfully as Saina was forced to make errors. When Baun needed just a point to win the game, Saina came back from nowhere to win 5 points in a row. Saina took the game 22-20 and qualified for semis in London Olympics. In semi-final, Saina Nehwal will play against no.1 seeded Yihan Wang.

In men’s singles, Kashyap needed a miracle against world no.1 Lee Chang Wei in quarter finals. As expected nothing happened but Kashyap gave a gallant fight to the Malaysian especially in 1st set. It was neck to neck game as both players getting a point each, one after another. With a bit of luck and Kashyap making a error, Lee Chang Wei wins 2 points a row and took the game 21-19. In second set, its Lee Chang dictating terms for Kashyap. Kashyap ran and dived around the corner to keep the rally going but Lee skills are just too good for him. Lee Chang is just absolutely faultless. On other end, Kashyap ran into making few more errors than it should be against top players. Kashyap lost the match 19-21, 11-21 and bows out London Olympics.

Boxing (Men’s Lightweight and Middleweight)

In the first of Indian boxing action, Jai Bhagwan was crushed to defeated against Kazakhstan Gani at lightweight category. Although Jai won the first round 2-3, he was smashed with punches by Gani in 2nd round. Jai lost the 2nd round and the match very badly 8-16. Jai Bhagwan was not medal contender for India at London Olympics but the way he got knocked out is just brutal.

Vijender needs to careful and tighten his defense in quarter finals.

In the Middleweight category, India’s poster boy Vijender came up against dangerous American Terrell Gausha in the round of 16. A very close match as both the players are as good as other one is. Vijender came good towards the end to take the 1st round 4-3 but after that its even stevens. In 2nd and 3rd rounds, both players exchanged punches aggressively. Vijender punch towards the end of clock at 3rd round clinched him the point and thus the match 16-15. Vijender played clever as he took the time and made Terrell run around but its the bout that could have gone either way. Other day, umpires would have easily ruled out Terrell as winner.

Vijender Singh faces two time former world champion and dangerous Uzbek Atoev Abbos in quarter finals.

Shooting (Men’s Double Trap and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol)

Another medal hope fell out of the radar in London Olympics for India. Former world no.1 Ronjan Sodhi gave the nation another shock as he even failed to qualify for finals. He was touted as top favourite to win the medal in double trap but only managed to finish at 11th with 134 points in qualification. Scores suggest he is well beyond his best (145 points). In first two rounds, Ronjan did very well and managed to stay in the qualification spot. In third, Ronjan had a bad game with a poor last 10 shootings.

In contrast, Vijay Kumar had a superb day as he finished at 5th position in qualification stage 1 of 25m rapid fire pistol with just a point separating him from the leader. Vijay will have to do well again in stage two to qualify for finals. Only top six qualifies and qualification scores are not carried over in this category.

Tennis (Mixed Doubles)

Leander Paes and Saina Mirza rolled into the quarter-finals of mixed doubles after a superb display of skill and coordination. Much to the contrast of predication, Leander and Saina were at ease against Slovakian Ivanovic and Zimonjic. Indian pair won the match 6-2 and 6-4 in just over an hour of time. In quarters, Leander and Sania will meet no.1 seed Belarus pair Max Mirnyi and Azarenka.

Tags: Boxing, India at London Olympics, India's medal chances, Jai Bhagwan, Leander Paes, London Olympics 2012, mixed doubles tennis, Parupalli Kashyap, Ronjan Sodhi, Ronjan Sodhi fails in men's double trap, Saina Nehwal, Saina Nehwal in semi's at badminton, Sania Mirza, Shooting, Vijay Kumar, Vijender Singh