Seoul: Ajay Jayaram emerged as the lone survivor at the Korea Open badminton tournament after notching up a convincing straight-game win over China’s Huang Yuxiang to advance to the quarterfinals of the men’s singles of the Super Series event here Thursday.
The World No. 27 Indian, seeded ninth, defeated Huang 21-15, 21-18 in a 40-minute battle. Jayaram had beaten the same player at the Canada Open last year. He will now meet Korean Lee Hyun Il here Friday. B Sai Praneeth however suffered a tame 9-21, 15-21 loss to sixth seed Korean, Son Wan Ho in a 34-minute match.
Jayaram and Huang got engaged in a fierce battle till 7-7. But the Indian soon broke off with five straight points to create a gulf which the Chinese could not breach and Jayaram pocketed the opening game.
In the second game, Jayaram dished out a dominating display to manage a 13-7 lead at one stage before the Chinese shuttler came back to narrow it down to 12-14. But Jayaram hung on to the slight edge and managed to stave off the Chinese challenge.
“I was winning comfortably. But it got a bit close in the second. Quite happy with the way I played today (Thursday). I was moving well and did well to vary my attack. A slightly nervous finish but delighted to pull through in the end and make it through to the quarters,” Jayaram said after the match.
Press Trust of India
