VERMA, DANI IN SYED MODI MAIN DRAW, SAINA TO START TODAY

Siril Verma and Harsheel Dani made it to the main draw of the $150,000 Syed Modi International Super 300 Badminton Championship after contrasting wins at the UP Badminton Academy here on Tuesday.

London Olympics bronze medallist and second seeded Indian Saina Nehwal will begin her campaign on Wednesday with a first round match against Mauritius’ Kate Foo Kune. Prior to her match, 2012 Olympics gold medallist Li Xuerui of China will meet Indian Smit Toshninal

Verma and Dani, who had been India’s star juniors not so long ago and were returning from injuries, won their qualifying rounds in straight games.

Ranked 134th in world, Siril started with a thrilling win over Chirag Sen 24-22, 21-18 in the morning before brushing aside Kevin Arokiya Walker 21-16, 21-13 in the evening to make it to the main draw. He will face third seed and defending champion Sameer Verma in the opening round.

Winner at the Ghana International this year, Harsheel had to struggle in the opening game against Thailand’s Kantawat Leelavachabutr before saving six game points to win it 22-20. In the second game, he was at ease, pocketing it 21-11 to set up a first round clash against the experienced Ajay Jayaram.

Earlier in the day, former junior national champion Harsheel had defeated Hardik Makkar 21-10, 21-7.

While Verma and Dani made the most of their chances, Bodhit Joshi and Pratul Joshi could not get the better of their respective opponents in the last round of qualifiers. Bodhit was beaten by Malaysia’s Tan Jei Wei 21-18, 13-21, 21-18, while Pratul lost to Vicky Angus Saputra of Indonesia 14-21, 10-21.

In women’s singles, Ritika Thaker, M Tanishq, Shruti Mundada and Amolika Singh Sisodiya made it to the main draw, registering wins in straight games.

LUCKNOW:India’s