ASIAN BADMINTON Sindhu winner, Saina crashes

Wuhan (China), April 26: Rio Olympic silver medallist P. V. Sindhu cruised into the second round but compatriot Saina Nehwal bowed out fighting in the Badminton Asia Championships here on Wednesday.

The world number three Indian, who clinched the India Super Series early this month, defeated Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia 21-8, 21-18 in a lop-sided encounter that lasted just 31 minutes.

London Games bronze medallist, Saina, however, lost to Japan’s Sayaka Sato 19-21, 21-16, 21-18 in the women’s singles after slogging it for more than an hour.

Seeded seventh, Saina had won bronze medal twice in the prestigious event.

Ajay Jayaram, who reached a career-best ranking of World No 13 last Thursday, defeated fifth seeded Houwei Tian of China 21-18, 18-21, 21-19 to progress to the second round of the men’s singles event.

2015 Swiss Open champion H. S. Prannoy also lost a gruelling battle against eighth seeded Ng Ka Long Angus, going down 16-21, 21-13, 19-21 to the Hong Kong player.

In the mixed doubles

It was disappointment for H. S. Prannoy who lost against eighth seeded Ng Ka Long Angus, going down 16-21, 21-13, 19-21

event, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki N. Reddy lost to Chinese top seeds Siwei Zheng and Qingchen Chen 15-21, 21-14, 16-21 getting knocked out in 50 minutes.

In women’s doubles, Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold finalists Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Sikki Reddy lost 20-22, 16-21 to Korean combo of Chae Yoo Jung and Kim So Yeong in a 37-minute clash.

In men’s doubles, Rio Olympians Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy suffered 9-21, 18-21 to Chinese pair of Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan. — PTI