French Open: Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, PV Sindhu and Sania Nehwal progress to pre-quarterfinals

Paris, October 26: Indian shuttlers including Kidambi Srikanth, PV Sindhu and Sania Nehwal progress to the pre-quarterfinals of the French Open Superseries Premier Badminton tournament being held in Paris after registering a commanding victory over their opponents in their respective categories.

 

In the women’s singles, Glasgow World Championship bronze medalist Saina Nehwal defeated Denmark's shuttler Hojmark Kjaersfeldt by 21-14 11-21 21-10 in a match that lasted for more than an hour in an opening match. Saina is likely to clash with Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in a revenge match.

PV Sindhu crossed the first hurdle to progress to the pre-quarterfinals of the French Open after defeating Spain’s Beatriz Corrales by 21-19 21-18. Sindhu will take on Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi to book a place in quarterfinals.

Kidambi Srikanth who won Denmark Open title few days before emerged victories after his opponent Germany’s Fabian Roth retired at 0-3 in the opening game. The World No 8 Indian will face Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki Vincent, whom he had beaten in straight games last week en route to his title.

Earlier in the day, US Open champion Prannoy defeated Korea's Lee Hyun Il 21-15 21-17, while Praneeth beat Thailand's Khosit Phetpradab 21-13 21-23 21-19. Praneeth will face Japanese Kenta Nishimoto in his next match.

In the Women's doubles, Indian pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy made quick work of England's Jenny Moore and Victoria Williams and defeated them by 21-12 21-12 in 30 minutes to also make a positive start to the tournament. They will face Denmark’s sixth seed Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding next. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a frustrating day for Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap as his gallant fight ended with a narrow 23-21 18-21 17-21 loss to Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.