Wuhan (China), April 26
PV Sindhu cruised into the second round but compatriot Saina Nehwal bowed out fighting in the Badminton Asia Championships here today. The world No. 3 Indian, who clinched the India Super Series earlier this month, defeated Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia 21-8 21-18 in a lop-sided encounter that lasted just 31 minutes. Saina, however, lost to Japan’s Sayaka Sato 19-21 21-16 21-18 after slogging for more than an hour. Seeded seventh, Saina has won bronze twice in the prestigious event.
Ajay Jayaram, who reached his career-best ranking of world No. 13 last Thursday, defeated fifth seed Houwei Tian of China 21-18 18-21 21-19 to progress to the second round in the men’s singles event. The 2015 Swiss Open champion HS Prannoy also lost a gruelling battle against eighth seed Ng Ka Long Angus, going down 16-21 21-13 19-21 to the Hong Kong player.
In the mixed doubles, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki N Reddy lost to the Chinese top seeds Siwei Zheng and Qingchen Chen 15-21 21-14 16-21. In the women’s doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy lost 20-22 16-21 to the Korean combo of Chae Yoo Jung and Kim So Yeong in a 37-minute clash. In the 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