Singapore’s Zeng Jian bowed out of the Olympics after going down to India’s top ranked player, Sreeja Akula, ranked 25th in the world, 4-2 in the Women’s Singles Round of 32 match at the South Paris Arena 4 earlier this afternoon, after displaying guts and grit.

The 27 year-old Singaporean had started on the front foot, taking the first game 11-9 from the competition’s 16th seed, but her Indian opponent showed why she is ranked so highly as she came storming back after finding her groove, taking the next three sets 12-10, 11-4, 11-5.

With elimination staring at her in the face , Zeng finally found her momentum, and with second wind in her sails, she staved off elimination after winning the fifth set, 12-10.

Bouyed by that win, the 31st seed continued to fight tooth and nail with Akula in the penultimate set, with both players exchanging points, and taking the set into deuce at 10-10. In the end, two consecutive winners by the Indian birthday girl saw her clinch the victory.

Nevertheless, it was a gutsy fight by Zeng Jian, and a performance worthy of the Olympic stage.