Sai, Srikanth, Kashyap in Malaysia Open second round

Kuala Lumpur, April 1: Leading Indian shuttlers Sai Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth progressed to the second round of the $500,000 Malaysia Open Superseries Premier at the Putra Stadium here on Wednesday.

While World No.2 Sai registered a comprehensive 21-13, 21-16 victory over Indonesian Maria Febe Kudumastuti, World No.4 Srikanth overcame Englishman Rajiv Ouseph 21-10, 15-21, 24-22 in 56 minutes in the first round.

Also advancing to the second round were Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap and World No.17 H.S. Prannoy.

While World No.13 Kashyap moved past South Korean Lee Dong Keun 21-15, 11-21, 21-14 in an hour and 11 minutes, Prannoy defeated a spirited Irishman Scott Evans 22-20, 21-18 in 40 minutes.

However, Indian men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy was handed a 11-21, 17-21 thrashing in 30 minutes by the Indonesian team of Andrei Adistia and Hendra Aprida Guwan. In the second round on Thursday, Olympic bronze medallist and World No.2 Sai will face Chinese qualifier Xue Yao. Xue defeated Thailand’s Busan Ongbumrungpan 21-11, 11-21, 21-15.

The Hyderabadi is assured of the top rank when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) releases its latest rankings on Thursday.

Srikanth will face Indonesian qualifier Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, who battled past Vietm’s Tien Minh Nguyen 18-21, 21-11, 21-14.

Hong Kong’s Hu Yun upset Danish sixth seed Viktor Axelsen 21-17, 13-21, 21-16 to set up the second round contest against Japanese Kento Momota, who beat Thai qualifier Boonsak Ponsa 21-17, 21-10.

Five-time world champion Lin Dan entered the second round after his opponent Tommy Sugiarto, who defeated the Chinese maestro at the Indian Open last week, retired hurt. (IANS)

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