On second day of Rio Olympics, many great legends were in for shock as the Williams sisters lost their first ever women’s doubles match to Czech Republic players Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. The pair walked into the court with an unbeatable record of 15-0 in the Olympics. The two sisters’ have won three gold medals in women’s doubles category— 2000 in Sydney, 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London.
Before Williams sisters, world no.1 champion Novak Djokovic was beaten by Argentinean palyer Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets 7-6 7-6. The disheartened Serbian tennis star said, “It’s one of the toughest losses in my life and career. The wounds are still fresh.”
But Michael Phelps, who has been part of five Olympics (including Rio Olympics), won his 19th Olympic gold medal in the men’s 4×100 metres freestyle relay. Michael Phelps Olympic journey began at the age of 15 with Sydney Olympics in 2000. He has now won 23 Olympic medals in total. The 31-year-old swimmer announced his retirement after 2002 London Olympics but then he resumed swimming in 2014.
From home front Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar became the first Indian to make a cut to individual vault finals. Karmakar, who hails from Tripura, finished at 8th position in the qualifying round which is scheduled to take place on August 14. She secured 15.100 and 14.850 points and after two attempts. Karmakar, who performed Produnova—a handspring double-front somersault in the first round and a Tsuk double full twist in the second.
India women’s archery disappointed as they failed to qualify in the quarter final round. The trio comprising of Indian women archers— Laxmirani Majhi, Bombayla Laishram and Deepika Kumari lost the match to world champion’s Russia by 4-5.
