Saina, Sameer Jump into Quarterfinals of Yonex Sunrise India Open

Team Udayavani, Mar 31, 2017, 9:38 AM IST

New Delhi: Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal sailed into the quarterfinals of the BWF Metlife Yonex Sunrise India Open World Super Series with a comfortable 21-14, 21-12 win over Chochuwong Porpawee of Thailand played here at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on Thursday. 

The world number 9 Saina and the 2015 winner looked much relaxed in the match and did not have to lose much sweat as she wrapped up the proceeding in 33 minutes to stay on course for her second title. Her win could also set up a potential blockbuster with PV Sindhu who will take of Saena Kawakami later in the day. Sameer Verma kept India’s hope alive in the men’s section of the $325,000 tournament as he continued his good run in the tournament and strolled into the quarterfinals with an easy 21-17, 21-15 over the veteran Hu Yun of Hong Kong.

The World No.38 who had accounted for the World No.5 Son Wan Ho of Korea yesterday was in stellar touch and hardly looked to be troubled by the unseeded Hu as he made it to the quarterfinals of the India Open for the first time in his career. He will now be up against the winner of the match between eighth seeded Marc Zweibler of Germany and Anders Antonsen of Denmark. “I had prepared for his game but he played better today. He is a tricky player with quality strokes. I think I am confident enough to go for my strokes. I will look to continue the momentum tomorrow,” Sameer said after the match.

However, it was a heartbreak for Kidambi Srikanth who crashed out of the tournament after he went down to top seeded Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in a match that lasted for 25 minutes. Srikanth who was one of the contenders came into the clash with great confidence considering his better head-to-head record over the mighty Dane. But Srikanth was completely outplayed as he could not judge the flight and finally lost 7-21, 12-21.

“There are days when nothing goes according to the plan. He played exceptionally well and there was nothing that I could really do to stop him today,” Axelsen said after the match. Sai Praneeth also could not keep up to the challenge of the seventh seeded Tien Chen Chou 14-21, 16-21 to crash out of the tournament.