Elevating Hopes, Sai Praneeth Storms into Second Round of #JapanOpen2019

Tokyo, July 23: Showcasing an exeptional play, India’s badminton maestro Sai Praneeth stormed into the second round of men's singles of Japan Open beating Kento Nishimoto in straight games today. The unseeded Praneeth recorded a comfortable 21-17, 21-13 win over the Japanese shuttler in just 42 minutes. 

 

In the mixed doubles event, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa beat the German combine of Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler in straight games 21-14, 31-19. However, in men's doubles, Manu Attri and Sumeeth B Reddy, crashed out losing to Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin.

Top Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth will begin their singles campaign tomorrow. Sindhu, seeded fifth, will face China's Yue Han, while Srikanth will take on compatriot H S Prannoy.

 

Due to several injuries, Saina Nehwal has pulled out of the tournament as she is focusing more on getting into shape for the World Championships next month.

Sai to faces Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan in the next match.