Sindhu, Srikanth advance in Worlds

Jakarta, Aug 11: Top Indian shuttlers P.V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth earned contrasting wins in their respective categories to advance at the World Championships, being held at the 9000-seater Istora Seyan here on Tuesday.

Coming back from a long injury layoff, 11th seed Sindhu had to work hard for 50 minutes to move past Danish Line Kjaersfeldt 11-21, 21-17, 21-16 in the women's singles second round. Though the two-time World Championship bronze medallist lost the first game, she found her rhythm to bounce back and win the next two games.

In the third round, the 20-year-old faces a tough task as she will go up against reigning Olympic champion and third seed Li Xuerui. The Chinese has a 2-1 advantage over Sindhu in career meetings.

"First game didn't go well, but overall it was okay. I could have played much better. It was a good match and even my opponent played well. Pre-quarters match is against Li Xuerui. Hope I play well," said Sindhu.

Later, men's singles third seed Srikanth got off to a positive start with a 21-10, 21-13 win over Australia's Michael Fariman in 24 minutes. The Guntur-born lad will next take on Chinese Taipei's Hsu Jen Hao against whom Srikanth won the only match played between them last year in Denmark. "It was a good match. First rounds are always tricky and I am happy to finish it in two games. I am playing against Hsu Jen Hao in the next round. I have played him only once before. It will be a good match tomorrow and I want to play my best," World No.3 Srikanth said.

However, it was the end of the road for doubles pairs Manu Attri-B.-Sumeeth Reddy and Mohita Sahdev-Dhanya ir with both combitions suffering first round losses in their respective categories.

While French combine Delphine Lansac-Emilie Lefel defeated Mohita and Dhanya 21-18, 21-16 in women's doubles, Chinese men's doubles pair of Cai Yun-Lu Kai eased past Attri and Reddy 21-9, 21-7 in 23 minutes. IANS