Saina Nehwal's woes continue, crashes out of Denmark Open
What's the story
Saina Nehwal is having a disastrous time on the badminton court. For the sixth time in 2019, Saina lost in the first round of a tournament. The ongoing Denmark Open Super 750 tournament saw the Indian women's singles badminton ace get knocked out of the first round. Saina lost to Sayaka Takahashi of Japan in straight games. Here's more.
Saina
Nehwal suffers third successive early loss
This is Saina Nehwal's 3rd successive first round exit and the sixth overall this season. The 2012 Denmark Open champion did not offer much resistance against Sayaka Takahashi and crashed out in just 37 minutes. Saina was beaten 15-21, 21-23. The loss comes weeks after she retired hurt in the first round of Korea Open. She was knocked out of the China Open before.
Saina poor form
Saina has been going through a tough phase
Saina reached the semi-final of the season-opening Malaysia Masters. She won the Indonesia Masters and looked on song. However, her struggles came to fore post that. The Indian has been going through a tough phase with fitness issues hindering her progress. Saina was diagnosed with agastroenteritis problem in March. With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics next year, Saina's form is a major concern.
Results
How did other Indian players fare on Wednesday?
India's Sameer Verma reached the pre-quarterfinals after beating Kanta Tsunyama of Japan 21-11, 21-11. The mixed doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa gave a walkover in their first round match against Wang Yi Lyu and Huang Dong Ping of China. Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra reached the second round in mixed doubles after outclassing Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler 21-16, 21-11.
Srikanth
Kidambi Srikanth faces a tough test against Anders Antonsen
Meanwhile, later on Wednesday, an out-of-form Kidambi Srikanth faces a tough test against World No. 4 Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the men's singles. Srikanth will be in competitive action for the first time since his exit at the BWF World Championships in August. He had pulled out of Korea Open and China Open due to a knee injury.