Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Kashyap Enter Second Round of Malaysia Open
Saina Nehwal hardly broke a sweat as she dumped Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia 21-13 21-16 in women's singles after World No. 4 Kidambi Srikanth edged out England's Rajiv Ouseph 10-21 21-15 22-24 in men's singles.
Leading Indian shuttlers Saina 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 Saina 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. (Saina Nehwal becoming World No. 1 defines golden phase of badminton in India: Prakash Padukone)
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. (Kidambi Srikanth is a fighter, consistency key to his success: Pullela Gopichand)
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 Gunawan. (Saina Nehwal feels burden lifted off her shoulders after winning Indian Open)
In the second round on Thursday, Olympic bronze medallist and World No.2 Saina will face Chinese qualifier Xue Yao. Xue defeated Thailand's Busanan Ongbumrungpan 21-11, 11-21, 21-15. (Saina Nehwal wins maiden India Open title)
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 Vietnam'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 Ponsana 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.
Top contenders in the women's singles competition -- Olympic champion Li Xuerui, former World No.1 Yihang Wang and former World champion Ratchanok Intanon -- entered the second round.