New Delhi: Forced to take the court despite developing foot corns, HS Prannoy lost in the opening round even as compatriots Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap advanced to the second round of the USD 3,50,000 India Open Super 500 series badminton tournament, here Wednesday.
Prannoy looked uncomfortable as he took the court against compatriot Shreyansh Jaiswal and surrendered meekly 4-21, 6-21.
In women’s singles, Saina had to work hard in the opening game before beating Denmark’s Sofie Holmboe Dahl 21-15, 21-9, while defending champion Sindhu dumped another Danish girl Natalia Koch Rohde 21-10, 21-13.
In men’s singles, second seed Srikanth overcame stiff resistance from Hong Kong’s Cheuk Yiu Lee before winning 21-17, 21-18 while Kashyap had it easy against Danish Kristian-Hans Vittinghus before advancing with a 21-14, 21-16 triumph. However, B Sai Praneeth had to play three games to subdue England’s Rajiv Ouseph 21-11, 17-21, 21-17 in a 53-minute encounter.
The new crammed BWF schedule makes it mandatory for top 15 singles players to play in 12 tournaments out of the Super 1000, Super 750 and Super 500 events and Prannoy said it left him with no option but to take part as he had already missed the first two Super 500 tournaments at Malaysia and Indonesia. “I had to play due to the BWF rules, I couldn’t even concede the match and had to play though I am in no position to play,” Prannoy stated.
Among other Indians, Aakarshi Kashyap and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde too crossed the first hurdle in women’s singles with contrasting wins. Kashyap tamed compatriot Anura Prabhudesai 14-21, 21-18, 21-14 while Shivani downed Denmark’s Anni Hansen 21-17, 21-10. Fourth seed Thai Ratchanok Inanton had to spend only 21 minutes in court in her 21-4, 21-6 demolition of Radhika Raje.
Meanwhile after her match Saina was asked about the request she made to the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to release her from the upcoming Asian Team Championships. “I need rest,” Saina told reporters. “I want to be fresh for the tournaments I play and want to do well in the upcoming All England Championships in March. You all have to realise I am not 20 anymore. This is a killing sport, though you may not realize it from outside,” added the shuttler.
Important results
Kidambi Srikanth bt Cheuk Yiu Lee 21-17, 21-18
Parupalli Kashyap bt K-H Vittinghus 21-14, 21-16
B Sai Praneeth bt Rajiv Ouseph 21-11, 17-21, 21-17
Saina Nehwal bt Sofie Holmboe Dahl 21-15, 21-9
PV Sindhu bt Natalia Koch Rohde 21-10, 21-13
A Ponnappa & S Rankireddy bt AJ Kausar & MV Raju 21-9, 21-10
Agencies
