Indian star Kidambi Srikanth, shuttler P.V. Sindhu advance at French Open

Paris: Indian star Kidambi Srikanth defeated Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong Kong in straight games to enter the second round of the French Open badminton tournament here on Wednesday.

The Indian brushed off a tough challenge in the opening game to clinch a comprehensive 21-19, 21-13 verdict in 42 minutes.

Srikanth will now face the winner of the first round clash between Khosit Phetpradab of Thailand and South Korea’s Lee Dong Keun.

Earlier ace India shuttler P.V. Sindhu also entered into the second round of ongoing French Open after thrashing Beiwen Zhang in straight games here on Tuesday.

Sindhu took just 34 minutes to outclass Zhang 21-17, 21-8. With this win, the Rio Olympic silver medalist avenged her loss at the hands of Zhang in the opening round of the Denmark Open, last week.

In the next round, Sindhu will now take on the winner of the first-round match between Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong and Japan’s Sayaka Sato.

Meanwhile, the Indian men’s doubles pair comprising Arjun MR and Shlok Ramachandran crashed out of the tournament after going down 14-21, 17-21 to Chinese pair of Li Junhui and Liu Yunchen in the first round. (IANS)