Asian Games 2023: After losing to Hsu Yu-Hsiou and Jason Jung from Chinese Taipei in the men’s doubles final on Friday in straight sets, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni accepted the men’s doubles silver medal at the Asian Games.
The Taipei team was unseeded, but Hsu (182) and Jung (231) were both higher-ranked singles players, and it showed in their ground strokes and methodical approach as they defeated the second-seeded Indians 6-4 6-4 in the championship match.
Hsu was reliable at the baseline with his powerful serves, while Jung complimented him at the net with his lightning-quick hands.
It is the first medal for Ramkumar at the Asian Games, while it is the third for Myneni, who previously won a men’s doubles silver with Sanam Singh and a mixed doubles gold with Sania Mirza in the 2014 Incheon Games.
This is this edition’s first tennis medal as well. India won three medals in Indonesia in 2018, but they will only bring back two from Hangzhou.
While the nation’s athletes have been eliminated from other competitions, Rohan Bopanna and Rutuja Bhosale are guaranteed a medal after reaching the mixed doubles quarterfinals.
In the opening three games of the men’s doubles championship, neither team dropped a point. The only time a team earned a point on an opponent’s serve was when Jung double-failed in the fourth game.
All four players held their serves, and after some excellent serving, the score was 2-2.
Ramkumar’s serve was under strain when Hsu smashed a beautiful forehand winner to increase the lead to 30-0. When Jung successfully returned a serve at 30-all, it was the first breakpoint of the match.
With Jung’s winning volley, the Taipei team gained the advantage. Hsu extended the advantage to 4-2 as the Indians made a few unforced errors and he hammered deep returns from the baseline.
Although Jung had some trouble with his first serve, his partner was excellent at the net.
Ramkumar started his service, which he needed to win the set, with a double fault but quickly made up for it with a few aces.
By keeping up his serving rhythm, Hsu helped the Taipei team win the set.
Ramkumar’s serve was under pressure in the second set as well. He served a double fault at 15-30 in the third game, giving the Taipei side two break opportunities, but he saved both to hold.
When Myneni served at 15 all in the ninth game, Ramkumar’s forehand return went beyond the baseline, and Hsu’s subsequent forehand service return winner gave the Taipei players two break opportunities.
They blocked the first attempt, but Jung took advantage of a weak Myenei return by scoring on a backhand volley.
The Taipei team gained three match points off Ramkumar’s wide forehand and won after Myneni’s backhand soared past the baseline.
So, this was all about Asian Games 2023: India Wins Silver In Men’s Doubles Tennis.
Also read, Mandana Fan Travels 1200KM To Watch Her At Asian Games 2023
