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This is an archive article published on October 6, 2008

Mutatkar effort falls short

Inspiration seldom translates into prompt emulation. But Aditi Mutatkar is making sure she goes beyond celebrating compatriot Saina Nehwal...

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Inspiration seldom translates into prompt emulation. But Aditi Mutatkar is making sure she goes beyond celebrating compatriot Saina Nehwal8217;s feats by becoming an able No. 2 in India. At the Bitburger Open on Sunday, Mutatkar went down 22-24, 21-8, 23-21 in a heart-breaking loss to Indonesian Maria Febe Kusumastuti, her couple of frittered match points depriving her of what would have been a maiden four-star title for the 20-year-old youngster.

But the Pune girl is determined to put this loss behind and carry the momentum into the remainder of her tournaments in Europe. A six-week stint arranged by coach Prakash Padukone to spar alongside the French national team in Paris came good, as she could train under their coach and former world No. 5 England8217;s Julia Mann before making her first GP final here.

8220;It was a little devastating,8221; she probably understated of her loss on Sunday, where she got over-cautious holding on to her 20-17 lead in the third game, restricting the strokes which could8217;ve gotten her the victory over the an opponent she has beaten earlier.

8220;I8217;ve lost a few close games before because of hurrying my shots, and recalling those, I over-did the patience thing,8221; she told The Indian Express. 8220;I need to find the right mix, but there8217;s no time to sulk, since I play the Bulgarian Open next,8221; says the Padukone Academy ward, who was travelling without a coach for the first time. 8220;It8217;s happened to her in the past, she8217;s lost close games, even in the ABC, after having led. We need to work on the mental strength so she doesn8217;t repeat mistakes,8221; said Padukone from Bangalore.

 

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