China Open: PV Sindhu, Sai Praneeth earn crucial wins
BWF World Championships winner PV Sindhu showed her class in the ongoing China Open 2019. The ace shuttler enjoyed a straight-game win over former world number one Li Xuerui. Besides Sindhu, men's shuttler Sai Praneeth also progressed to the next round. However, senior shuttler Saina Nehwal crashed out after losing against Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan. Here's more.
Sindhu sealed the tie 21-18, 21-12 to reach the second round of the event. The battle lasted for only 34 minutes. The Hyderabadi will be up against Thailand's Pompawee Chonchuwong or Canada's Michelle Li in the next round. The match started in a bright note for both players. However, Sindhu grew in prominence after the interval in the first game to take charge.
Meanwhile, Sai Praneeth also booked a place in the second round with a hard fought win over Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon. Sai sealed the match with a 21-19, 21-23, 21-14 score. He will next face China's Lu Ghuangzu.
Saina's campaign ended abruptly after a one-sided battle against Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the women's singles. The London Olympic bronze medallist lost 10-21, 17-21 at the hands of the world number 19. The match lasted for just 45 minutes. It was Saina's second successive defeat to the Thai player. Saina hasn't been in top gear after recovering from injuries.
Veteran star shuttler Lin Dan was shown the door by top-seeded Kento Momota of Japan in the first round of the men's singles. Momota battered him 21-14, 21-14 to progress. "The result could be different if I did better in details," Lin said to XinhuaNet. "I was not as patient as him. I had prepared a lot but I didn't perform that well."
