Sai, Praneeth reach Thailand Open quarters

Bangkok, June 1: Title contenders Sai Nehwal and B. Sai Praneeth advanced to the quarter-fils of the $1,20,000 Thailand Open badminton tourment after notching up straight-game victories in the women's and men's singles competition respectively here on Thursday. Second seed Sai outclassed Ying Ying Lee of Malaysia 21-11 21-14 in a 40-minute match to set up a clash with Japanese qualifier Haruko Suzuki.
Praneeth also dished out a domiting show to thrash ninth seed Malaysian Iskandar Zulkarin 21-13 21-18. The third seeded Indian will now face Thailand's Kantaphon Wangcharoen on Friday. However, it was curtains for Sourabh Verma and Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka in men's and women's singles competition. IANS