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Sourabh Verma Exits, Indian Challenge Ends at Chinese Taipei Open

Sentinel Digital Desk

Taipei: The Indian challenge at the Chinese Taipei Open badminton tournament ended on Thursday as Sourabh Verma went down in straight games to World No. 2 Chou Tien Chen in the men's singles second round event.

World No. 38 Sourabh, who won the Hyderabad Open last month, couldn't pose much of a threat to the top-seeded Chen, after losing the contest 12-21, 10-21 in 31 minutes.

Chen raced away to an early 5-0 lead and held on to a healthy 11-5 lead at the mid-game break. Sourabh tried to make a comeback but couldn't taste success against the Taipei shuttler, who went on to win the opening game with ease.

In the second game, Sourabh took a 3-1 lead early but failed to keep the momentum going as Chen once again started to dominate the proceedings as he led 11-4 at the mid-game break. The local continued to dominate later on and clinched the second game too.

Sourabh Verma will next feature at the Vietnam Open 2019, starting September 10 in Vietnam. IANS