Sindhu, Deepika, Pooja save the day for India

Sindhu entered the pre-quarterfinals, Pooja Rani had a good beginning in the 75kg women’s category, Deepika Kumari marched into the last-16 after seeing off US teenager Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez

Hyderabad: It was once again the girls – shuttler PV Sindhu, boxer Pooja Rani and archer Deepika Kumari – who kept the Indian flag flying on the fifth day of the Olympics.

Sindhu entered the pre-quarterfinals in badminton with a comfortable victory over world No. 34 NY Cheung from Hong Kong with 21-9 21-16 in a 35-minute match to top Group J.

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In archery, reigning world No.1 Deepika Kumari marched into the last-16 after seeing off US teenager Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez 6-4 to keep Indian hopes alive

In boxing, debutant Pooja Rani had a good beginning in the 75kg women’s category. She out-punched Algeria’s Ichrak Chaib in her opening bout to enter the quarterfinals of her maiden Olympic Games here on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Indian clinched it 5-0, thoroughly dominating a rival 10 years her junior.

However, Indian women’s hockey team suffered a 1-4 loss to Great Britain in the pool A match. This is their third straight loss.

• Sindhu, who entered pre-quarters, is two wins away from assuring India a medal in badminton
• Deepika, India’s hopes in archery, has to advance to semifinals to be assured of at least a bronze
• Boxer Pooja Rani has to clear the next hurdle in quarters to win at least a bronze

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