Sindhu, Saina get easy draw

JAKARTA, august 22

Advertisement

Slotted in different halves of the draw, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal can only square off in the title round as the singles action in badminton begins tomorrow.

Sindhu will open her campaign against Vietnam’s Thi Trang Vu while Saina has been pitted against Iran Soraya Aghaeihajiagha. Sindhu is expected to have a smooth run till the semifinals, where she might run into Japanese Akane Yamaguchi, whom she had beaten the team event. 

However, Saina may have to contend with Thailand’s fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon. In the men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth has got a bye in the first round but he may run into All England champion Wang Tzu Wei in the pre-quarterfinals. He is up against Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki Vincent in the second round. 

HS Prannoy has also got a first-round bye and will play his first match against Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand. Prannoy has Keno Momota and Chen Long in his half, so it is not going to be a smooth ride for him. Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy will clash with Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Yung and Yeung Nga Ting in the women’s doubles.

 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also play against a Hong Kong pair, Chung Yonny and Tam Chun Hei. — PTI