Saina Nehwal Advances to Indonesia Open Quarters

Top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal advanced to the women's singles quarterfinals of the $750,000 Indonesia Open Super Series Premier at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here Thursday.

The eighth seed needed only 36 minutes to overcome Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour 21-17, 21-9 to take a 3-0 lead in career meetings over the World No.17.

However, the three-time winner here faces an extremely tough challenge next as she takes on China's World No.1 Li Xuerui Friday. The top seeded reigning Olympic champion has a 6-2 record against Saina.

Meanwhile, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa lost their women's doubles second round match to South Korean Ye Na Jang and So Young Kim. The fifth seeds won 21-16, 15-21, 21-12 in 45 minutes.