29 April 2006 (Read Raphael Sachetat's report)
Sendai (Japan): Rupesh Kumar and V Diju raised their game when it mattered most and won the last doubles tie as India overcame a gritty Germany 3-2 to move into the pre-quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup on Saturday.
India take on New Zealand in the pre-quarterfinals on Monday. The Kiwis finished at the bottom of Group B after losing both their league matches to Korea and Indonesia.
India began on the wrong note with World No. 24 Chetan Anand not in his elements against Bjoern Joppien and as the German tamed him 21-17, 21-12 and India had the worst possible start.
In the second match, Anup Sridhar too was stretched in the first game even though he snatched it from Conrad Hueckstaedt.
The German, however, soon returned to the win the second game. Anup finally went on to win the third game and the match 22-20, 14-21, 21-6.
Arvind Bhat, despite dropping the second game, kept the momentum going and his 21-14, 17-21, 21-16 win against Roman Spitko saw India snatching the lead with two doubles matches to go.
Thomas Kurien and Jaseel Ismail, however, forfeited the advantage as they tamely went down to Kristof Hopp and Ingo Kindervater 9-21, 16-21 and the Germans were back in contention at 2-2.
In the decider, Rupesh Kumar and V Diju kept their cool and never allowed any leeway to the German rivals Michael Fuchs and Spitko as they chalked out a straight game win 21-18, 21-12.
Indian coach Vimal Kumar gave credit to the singles winners but said Spitko was not at his best which helped his team to an extent.
The results: India beat Germany 3-2 (Chetan Anand lost to Bjoern Joppien 17-21, 12-21; Anup Sridhar beat Conrad Hueckstaedt 22-20, 14-21, 21-6; Aravind Bhat beat Roman Spitko 21-14, 17-21, 21-16; Thomas Kurien-Jaseel Ismail lost to Kristof Hopp-Ingo Kindervater 9-21, 16-21; Rupesh Kumar-V Diju beat Michael Fuchs-Roman Spitko 21-18, 21-12).
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