Sindhu wins, Saina bows out

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