Top Indian shuttlers P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the second round of the Malaysian Open World Tour Super 750 tournament in Kuala Lumpur today.
However, it was curtains for Saina Nehwal. She lost to Chochuwong Pornpawee of Thailand 22-20, 15-21, 10-21.
Olympic and world championship silver medallist Sindhu staved off a spirited challenge from World No. 20 Aya Ohori 22-20, 21-12 to record her sixth win over the Japanese. India Open finalist Srikanth beat Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa 21-18, 21-16.
Fifth seed Sindhu will now look to avenge her All England loss against Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun whom she faces next, while Srikanth will meet Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab tomorrow.
HS Prannoy, who had reached the quarterfinals last week at New Delhi, however, bowed out after losing 12-21, 21-16, 21-14 to Sitthikom Thammasin of Thailand following a hard-fought battle.