Srikanth, Sindhu enter second round but Saina, Prannoy exit
BANGKOK: Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu huffed and puffed her way to the women's singles second round while Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, the protagonists of India's historic Thomas Cup triumph, suffered contrasting fates in the opening round of Thailand Open here on Wednesday.
Sindhu, seeded sixth and ranked seventh in the world, staved off a spirited challenge from world number 62, USA'S Lauren Lam 21-19, 19-21, 21-18 to set up a clash with Sim Yu Jin, who had played a pivotal role in Korea's Uber Cup win.
Fresh from playing a major role in the Thomas Cup victory, Srikanth, seeded eighth, produced a gritty show to get the better of Brice Leverdez of France 18-21, 21-10, 21-16 in 49 minutes. Prannoy, who won the decisive third singles during the quarterfinals and semifinals of Thomas Cup, went down fighting 17-21, 21-15, 15-21 to Daren Liew of Malaysia.
Among other Indians in the fray, Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam beat Thailand's Kittipak Dubthuk and Prinda Pattanawaritthipan 21-12, 21-17 to enter the second round.
Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto got a walkover from USA'S Mathew Fogarty and Isabel Zhong to also advance to the second round.
Saina Nehwal battled hard for 50 minutes before losing 21-11, 15-21, 17-21 to Korean Kim Ga Eun in the women's singles first round.