Singapore Open: PV Sindhu in semis, Saina Nehwal exits

Singapore: Saina Nehwal's disappointing show continued at the Singapore Open as the shuttler crashed out of the tournament while PV Sindhu entered the semi-finals here on Friday. Saina lost in straight games 8-21, 13-21 in the 36-minute affair to Japan's Nozomi Okuhara, who was in her top form and the Indian had no answer to her attacking play.

In a different women's singles quarterfinal match, Rio Olympic Games silver-winner Sindhu defeated world No.18 Cai Yanyan of China 21-13, 17-21, 21-14 in the 59-minute contest. Sindhu will next face former world champion Okuhara. This is Sindhu's second semi-final of the season, following a last-four finish at the India Open in March.

Meanwhile, Kidambi Srikanth also bowed out of the tournament as he went down against top seed Kento Momota, 18-21, 21-19, 9-21 in 67 minutes. Sameer Verma, a world no 16, battled for an hour and nine minutes before losing 10-21, 21-15, 15-21 to second seeded Chinese Taipei Chou Tien Chen.

In mixed doubles, Pranaav and Sikki suffered a 14-21, 16-21 loss to third seed Thai pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai to bow out of the World Tour Super 500 tournament. IANS

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