Singapore Open: Sindhu sails; Srikanth and Prannoy exit

HYDERABAD: PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Chopra and Sikki Reddy spared India's blushes on a disappointing day at the Singapore Open Super Series on Wednesday. The rest of the Indian squad including Kidambi Srikanth and the experienced doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa crashed out in the first round.
World No.14 Srikanth suffered a shock loss against Hsu Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei 2111, 18-21, 18-21. Having lost once again in the first round, he may actually end up denting his chances of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.
Elsewhere, Ajay Jayaram lost to Marc Zwiebler of Ger many 17-21, 16-21 and Swiss Open champion HS Prannoy went down fighting against world champion Chen Long of China 21-18, 18-21, 19-21. World No.22 Prannoy won the first game after dominating the second half before losing the second. In the decider, Prannoy was leading 18-16 before the Chinese star used his experience to outlast the Indian.
This being the last Super Series before Olympic qualification, Indians lost a good chance of pocketing some useful points. Sindhu recovered after losing the first game to down Busanan Ongbumrungphan of Thailand 9-21, 2117, 21-11in the women's singles first round. Though she lost the first game, Sindhu easily negotiated the next two without any difficulty.Singapore Open: Sindhu sails; Srikanth and Prannoy exit
Manne Ratnakar
HYDERABAD: PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Chopra and Sikki Reddy spared India's blushes on a disappointing day at the Singapore Open Super Series on Wednesday. The rest of the Indian squad including Kidambi Srikanth and the experienced doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa crashed out in the first round.
World No.14 Srikanth suffered a shock loss against Hsu Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei 2111, 18-21, 18-21. Having lost once again in the first round, he may actually end up denting his chances of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.
Elsewhere, Ajay Jayaram lost to Marc Zwiebler of Ger many 17-21, 16-21 and Swiss Open champion HS Prannoy went down fighting against world champion Chen Long of China 21-18, 18-21, 19-21. World No.22 Prannoy won the first game after dominating the second half before losing the second. In the decider, Prannoy was leading 18-16 before the Chinese star used his experience to outlast the Indian.
This being the last Super Series before Olympic qualification, Indians lost a good chance of pocketing some useful points. Sindhu recovered after losing the first game to down Busanan Ongbumrungphan of Thailand 9-21, 2117, 21-11in the women's singles first round. Though she lost the first game, Sindhu easily negotiated the next two without any difficulty.