Paris Olympics 2024: Sreeja Akula Marches Into Round of 32 Even As Veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal Makes Shock Exit

The 42-year-old Kamal, who was making his fifth Olympics appearance, lost 2-4 (12-10 9-11 6-11 7-11 11-8 10-12) to Deni Kozul of Slovenia ranked 86 places below him in a round of 64 match that lasted 53 minutes.

The Commonwealth Games champion Indian, ranked 40th in the world, won a tight first game but lost the next three to trail 1-3. He recovered and made it 2-3 but again lost a tight fourth game to bow out of the competition. His opponent is ranked 126th in the world.

The 29-year-old Manika, on the other hand, dominated Anna Hursey of Great Britain in her round of 64 women's singles match that lasted 41 minutes.