Tough test a waits indian stars
QUARTERFINALS Sindhu faces defending champion Okuhara, Saina runs into Marin. Srikanth stunned in Round of 16
NANJING,CHINA: Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu sailed into the women’s singles quarterfinals with straight-game wins but it was curtains for Kidambi Srikanth at the World Badminton World Championships on Thursday.
Saina, who had clinched silver and bronze at the 2015 and 2017 editions, downed 2013 champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-16, 21-19 to set up a meeting with Olympic champion and two-time world champion, Carolina Marin of Spain.
Later in the day, 2017 edition’s silver medallist Sindhu, seeded third, eased past ninth seed Ji Hyun Sung of Korea 21-10, 21-18 in another third round clash.
Sindhu will next play eighth seed Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, a rival against whom she lost in the summit clash last year.
B Sai Praneeth also eased into the men’s singles quarterfinals with a comfortable 21-13, 21-11 win over Denmark’s Hans-kristian Solberg Vittinghus. He will next take on sixth seed Kento Momoto.
The Indian mixed doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa also stood one step away from a medal after pulling off a stunning 20-22, 21-14, 21-6 victory over the Malaysian world no.7 combination of Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai.
SRIKANTH LOSES
However, fifth seed Srikanth’s dream of winning a medal came crashing down after he was outwitted 18-21 18-21 by the experienced Malaysian Daren Liew in a 41-minute clash.
“I had my chances but couldn’t keep the shuttle in. Too many smashes out, too many mistakes. I should have handled it much better,” said Srikanth.
Saina showed amazing retrieving skills against Intanon, who is on a comeback trail after recovering from an injury.
“It is a very good win. She is known for a deceptive game. Second game was going my way, but suddenly she played some difficult strokes, she was everywhere and made it 19-19. At that point, Gopi sir played a big role. He told me what to do and I followed that and the game turned in my favour,” Saina said. “I have played Carolina at Denmark Open last, she is quick and aggressive and it would be a challenging match for me and I will just look to give my best.”
LIN FALLS
Five-time champion Lin Dan fell to Chinese compatriot Shi Yuqi again while men’s No. 1 Viktor Axelsen moved into the quarterfinals.
Lin lost to Shi, 12 years his junior, 21-15, 21-9. Lin hasn’t won the championships in five years. Shi beat him for the third time this year, including in a thrilling All England final, and for the fifth time in six career meetings.
Axelsen defeated Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong 21-19, 21-18.
The top-seeded Dane will next face Olympic champion Chen Long, whom he beat in the semifinals of last year’s worlds en route to the title. Chen beat No. 14-seeded Kenta Nishimoto 21-18, 21-19.