Deepika Kumari defeated World No. 17 Italy's Guendalina Sartori 6-2 in the round of 32 to book a place in the round of 16 in the women's individual archery event at the Rio Olympics on Wednesday. Earlier she had defeated Georgia's Kristine Esebua 6-4 in the round of 64 in the individual women’s archery event.
In the first set against Sartori, Kumari hit 7, 8 and 9 to lose 24-27. In the second, she shot back into form with two scores of 10 and a nine to win 26-29 and tie the score at two set points apiece. In the third set, India's highest ranked archer hit 10, 9 and 9 to win 28-26 and take a 4-2 lead. In the fourth set, Deepika was more relaxed, given that she was in the driver’s seat. She began with an 8 but followed it up with two exquisite strikes of 10 to win 28-27 and take the match 6-2.
Earlier, Deepika Kumari beat Georgia's Esebua 6-4 to progress to the round of 32. She began the first set with an 8, 10 and 9 to win 27-26. In the second, she hit two scores of 10 and a nine to tie the set 29 apiece and earn a point. Kumari then hit three scores of 10 to take a 5-1 lead.
She did drop the fourth set but kept her cool in the fifth to tie it at 29-29 and win the match 6-4.
Deepika Kumari will now face Chinese Taipei's Ya-Ting Tan on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals. The semi-finals and finals are on the same day, which means India's medal fortunes in women's archery, resting on her and on Bombayla Devi Laishram, will be decided on Thursday.
