Indian combo Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari faded away against American Olympic medalists Brady Ellison and Khatuna Lorig in the mixed semi-finals titles of the Archery World Cup Stage 3 which is held at Medellin in Colombia.
The US duo, who had won gold for the mixed team in Shanghai World Cup, led by 39-34 in the first end and continued to record a close 150-146 victory over the 4th seeded Indian pair yesterday.
India can expect a bronze medal from Das-Deepika, as they will fight it out against the Mexican pair of Aida Roman and Juan Rene Serrano-the bronze medalists in Antalya, in the playoff scheduled to begin later tonight.
Asian Games sliver medalist Tarundeep Rai finished last in the qualification round. He reverted back to make the third round of the men's event. Rai got over a 1-3 deficit to stun no. 17 seeded Thomas Faucheron of France by 6-4. His teammate Jayanta Talukdar was halted by Marcos Bortoloto of Brazil. Rai, who previously hammered Andres Aguilar Gimpel of China by 7-1, will encounter no. 16 seed Thomas Aubert of France in the last-32. Notably, fifth seed Atanu Das received a bye into the last 32 and will lock horns with Baard Nesteng of Norway.
In the women's title, 2007 World Cup Final winner Dola Banerjee maintained her poor run as she was dismissed by no. 33 Marina Canetta Gobbi of Brazil. However, Rimil Biruly squashed Fatima Hernandez of Dominican Republic by 6-2 to register a round of 32 clash against Lya Solano of Dominican Republic.
Both Deepika and Laishram Bombayla Devi have been seeded directly into the round of 32. Deepika Kumari will clash with Regina Maria Romero of Guatemala, while Bombayla will face Maydenia Sarduy of Cuba. In the meantime, India qualified sixth in both men's and women's sections in the compound division.
