Gutta, Diju script history, win GP Gold title in Taipei

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Jwala Gutta and V Diju on Sunday
became the first Indian mixed doubles pair to clinch a Grand
Prix Gold title after pulling off a hard-fought win in the
finals of the badminton tournament in Chinese Taipei.

The world number seven Indian pair prevailed 24-22 21-18
over the Indonesian duo of Hendra Aprida Gunawan and Vita
Marissa to achieve the historic feat in Taipei city.

In the first game, the Indian pair opened up a 15-9 but
the Indonesian combo staged a comeback to reduce the gap to
15-14. But Jwala and Diju quickly got their act together and
prevailed in long rallies to go one up.

The Indonesians started off well in the second game and
were leading at 13-9 but this time it was turn Indians' turn
to claw back at make it 15-15.

Jwala and Diju then grabbed the lead and sealed the issue
in their favour.

"It is a great feeling. I am extremely happy but to be
honest, I still can't believe that we have won. The feeling is
yet to sink in. Our team has already left and we are all alone
here," Jwala told PTI after the match.

"May be after we go back home, we will realise that we
have won," added Jwala, who is turning 26 on September 7.

"It wasn't an easy match. It was a quality match and
there were long rallies and we didn't give away any silly
point. we had to work hard for it." MORE PTI