NAGPUR’S Ritika Thaker and her partner Navaneeth Bokka entered pre-quarterfinals at the Vietnam Open, underway at Hoh Chi Minh City, on Wednesday. Playing mixed doubles in this Super 100 event, Ritika and Navaneeth had a come from behind victory. Playing against Tan Kean Wie and Tan Shen Thing of Malaysia, the India pair lost the first game 15-21. They made amends in the next game to wrap it up with the score reading 21-16 in their favour. The Malaysians came back strongly and were always in the lead in the decider.

 

At one point, they looked clear favourites when they were leading 18-14. But Ritika and Navaneeth displayed their calmness and patience and started playing attacking badminton to win the decider 22-20. Now they run into Indian pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto.