Gopichand humbled in quarter finals

India's star performer Pullela Gopichand suffered a stunning defeat in the quarter-finals while Aparna Popat kept her medals hopes alive by moving into the semi-finals of the badminton competition at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Friday.

Gopichand, one of the main medal contenders in the men's section, appeared totally off colour as he succumbed to Malaysia's Choong Hann Wong in straight sets.

The former All England champion could never really find his rhythm against the Malaysian who capitalised on the unforced errors committed by the highly-rated Indian to carve out a facile 7-1, 7-1, 7-4 victory.

Gopichand has not played upto his awesome reputation in the Games and the story was no different today as he struggled to match his Malaysian opponent in every department of the game.

While Gopi Chand's premature exit has deprived the Indians of a coveted medal, Aparna Popat kept herself on course for a medal by romping into the semi-finals of the women's singles section.

Aparna had no difficulty in brushing aside the challenge of Canada's Denyse Julien with a fluent 7-1, 7-0, 7-0 verdict.