Okuhara vs Sindhu in offing at World Championships

New Delhi, July 17 

PV Sindhu might have to upstage defending champion and familiar foe Nozomi Okuhara as the two finalists of the previous edition are drawn to meet in the quarterfinals of the World Championships to be held from July 30 to August 5 in Nanjing, China. Sindhu is likely to meet South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun in the third round. The Hyderabadi has received a bye in the opening round. She will face either Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia or Bulgaria's Linda Zetchiri in the second round.

Tough for Saina

Saina Nehwal will have to battle past Ratchanok Intanon and Carolina Marin whom she is expected to meet in the third round and quarters, respectively. The London Olympics bronze medallist will play Swiss Sabrina Jaquet or Turkish Aliye Demirbag in the second round after getting a first-round bye. — PTI

Satwik-Ponnappa win, Gurusaidutt qualifies for Singapore Open

Singapore: India’s mixed doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa advanced while RMV Gurusaidutt and Rituparna qualified for the Singapore Open. The Indian pair defeated Indonesia’s Andika Ramadiansyah and Mychelle Crhystine 21-16 21-19 in the opening round. Gurusaidutt defeated Rosario Maddaloni of Italy 21-7 21-10 while Rituparna edged past Chua Hui Zhen Grace of Singapore 13-21 21-16 21-12. — PTI