Home girls sweep spots in main draw

Home shuttlers had a good outing, sealing all four spots in the women’s draw of the India Open World Superseries here on Tuesday.

In the qualification round on the day, a total of 15 Indian women were in the fray with Rasika Raje, Pardeshi Shreyanshi, Sai Uttejitha and Anura Prabhudesai winning their matches to advance to the main draw of the $325,000 tournament.

The 21-year-old Rasika beat Akarshi Kashyap in her second match 21-18, 2116 to sail into the next round.

Kashyap had beaten Mugdha Agrey 21-9, 21-12 earlier in the day while Rasika beat Amolika Singh Sisodiya 21-11, 15-21, 21-9.

Pardeshi got a walkover in her first match against Mudaliar Pooja. In her second match, she beat Vaidehi Choudhari 21-12, 18-21, 21-10 to advance.

Sai Uttejitha had an easy outing, getting the better of Deepali Gupta 21-7, 21-8 in her second match after outclassing

In the mixed doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and Sumeeth Reddy went down to England's Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith 1721, 18-21

Lalita Dahiya 2112, 21-12.

Anura beat Ira Sharma 21-14, 21-13 followed by a 2113, 21-14 victory over Debora Rumate Vehrinica of Indonesia.

While the women’s players excelled on the day, it was heartbreak for the men shuttlers as none of them could make it to the main draw.

Former junior world number no. 1 Aditya Joshi crashed out 14-21, 11-21 to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto.

In the women’s doubles, Mahima Aggarwal and Maneesha K. made it through to the main round, beating Smriti Nagarkoti and Parssa Naqbi 21-11, 2116 followed by a 21-18, 21-15 win over Anto Agna and Sneha Santhilal. In the mixed doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and Sumeeth Reddy went down to England’s Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith 17-21, 1821.