Sindhu, Srikanth in last 8, Saina out
New Delhi, June 28: P. V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth notched up straight- game wins to progress to the quarterfinals while Saina Nehwal was knocked out in the $ 700,000 Malaysia Open world tour super 750 tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Sindhu brushed aside Malaysia’s Ying Ying Lee 21- 8, 21- 14 to set up a clash with Olympic champion and former world no, 1 Carolina Marin.
The 22- year- old Indian has a 5- 6 head- to- head record against the Spaniard.
In the men’s singles, fourth seed Srikanth saw off Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei 22- 20, 21- 12 in 36 minutes.
Srikanth next with France’s Leverdez on Friday. clashes Brice
Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal went down 15- 21, 13- 21 to world no. 2 Akane Yamaguchi in 36 minutes.
World no. 3 Sindhu hardly broke a sweat as she first opened up a 6- 4 lead and then reeled off eight straight points to jump to 14- 4.
In the second game, Sindhu again held an 8- 7 lead before moving to 13- 7.
In men’s singles, Srikanth led 11- 3 in the first game. Wang though didn’t give up and eventually clawed back at 20- 20.
But Srikanth grabbed the two crucial points to pocket the opening game.
In the second game, Srikanth was ruthless as he surged to 10- 2 advantage and despite Wang trying to step up his attack, the Indian kept his composure to seal the contest.