Sindhu progresses, Saina out

Changzhou (China), Sept 18 

Reigning world champion and title favourite PV Sindhu sailed into the pre-quarterfinals with a convincing straight-game win over former Olympics gold medallist Li Xuerui at the China Open Super 1000 tournament here today. Sindhu beat Li 21-18 21-12 in just 34 minutes to set up a clash with Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong. Sindhu produced another strong performance to get the better of the 20th-ranked Chinese, who entered the match with a 3-3 record against the Indian.

Saina Nehwal lost 10-21 17-21 to Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the women’s singles.

In men’s singles, Sai Praneeth and Parupalli Kashyap also progressed to the second round after notching up contrasting opening-round wins. 

Praneeth had to battle for an hour and 12 minutes to get past Thailand’s Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-19 21-23 21-14, while Kashyap beat France’s Brice Leverdez 21-12 21-15 in 38 minutes.

In women’s doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy too crossed the opening hurdle after their opponents Cheng Chi Ya and Lee Chih Chen retired mid-way in the second game, while trailing 21-13 11-8. 

In men’s doubles, Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy crashed out after losing 15-21 15-21 to Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki also lost to Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich 12-21 21-23. — PTI