Title-contenders Saina Nehwal and B Sai Praneeth advanced to prequarterfinals of the Thailand Open after straight-game wins in the women's and men's singles competition respectively.In Bangkok yesterday, Second seeded Saina brushed aside Slovakia's Martina Repiska 21-5, 21-10 in the opening round to set up a clash with Malaysia's Ying Ying Lee in the next round. Singapore Open champion Praneeth defeated Malaysia's R Satheishtharan 21-15, 21-13 in men's singles. National champion Sourabh Verma and Young woman shuttler Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka also reached the next round. Sourabh, seeded 12th, survived a challenge from compatriot Anand Pawar 21-17, 20-22, 21-14 in men's singles event, while Sai Uttejitha Rao put up a fight to defeat Indonesia's Jesica Muljati 13-21, 24-22, 27-25 in women's singles that lasted for an hour and 16 minutes.However, it was a dismal day for other Indians with P Kashyap, Shreyansh Jaiswal and Subhankar Dey bowing out of the men's singles competition. Reshma Karthik and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde also crashed out in the opening round of women's singles.
News On AIR | June 1, 2017 7:10 AM
Saina Nehwal, B Sai Praneeth advance at Thailand Open