Sindhu advances but Saina loses opener in China
CHANGZHOU (CHINA): Reigning world champion and title favourite PV Sindhu sailed into the prequarterfinals with a straightgame win over 2012 Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui at the $1 million China Open here on Wednesday. Sindhu beat Li 21-18, 21-12 in just 34 minutes to set up a clash with Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Replicating her world championship form, the Olympic silver medallist produced another strong performance to get the better of the currently 20th-ranked Chinese, who entered the match with a 3-3 record.
Men’s singles players B Sai Praneeth and Parupalli Kashyap also progressed to Round 2. Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy too found a place in the pre-quarterfinals after crossing the opening hurdle.
However, Saina made an early exit after losing to Thai Busanan Ongbamrungphan. The London Olympics bronze medallist lost 10-21, 17-21 at the hands of the world No19 in a match that lasted 44 minutes. It was the former world No 1’s second successive loss to the Thai.
In men’s singles, world championships bronze medallist Sai Praneeth had to battle for an hour and 12 minutes to get past Thai Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-19, 21-23, 21-14 Kashyap beat France’s Brice Leverdez 21-12, 21-15 in 38 minutes.
Next Sai will face Chinese Lu Guangzu while Kashyap will lock horns with Indonesian seventh seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
In women’s doubles, Ashwini and Sikki too crossed the opening hurdle after their Chinese Taipei opponents Cheng Chi Ya and Lee Chih Chen retired after lagging 13-21, 8-11.
Men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy, however, crashed out 15-21, 15-21 to Indonesian second seeds Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan.
Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki also lost to Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich 12-21, 21-23.