Kuala Lumpur
Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu made it to the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament in Bukit Jalil on Thursday. However, World No.10 Saina Nehwal crashed out losing to Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 13-21 in the second round. The Japanese World No.2 needed just 36 minutes to oust the Indian. With this victory Yamaguchi extended her win-loss record against Saina to 6-1.
World No.7 Srikanth faced no such problems as he made short work of Tzu Wei Wang of Chinese Taipei. Wang, who ousted Sai Praneeth in the first round, lasted only 36 minutes against Srikanth. Only in the first game the world No.15 troubled the Indian as he saved two game points from 18-20. His challenge fizzled out in the second game as Srikanth kicked started with a 10-1 lead and gave no chance for his rival.
In the quarterfinals, Srikanth will face world No.22 Brice Leverdez of France, who defeated Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 10-21, 21-17, 25-23.
In the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals Sindhu hardly broke any sweat in her 21-8, 21-14 victory against Malaysia Ying Ying Lee. The Olympic silver medallist wrapped up the first game even before her rival had warmed up and it was no different in the second. In the quarterfinals, Sindhu will face Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain, who defeated Cheung Ngan Yi of Honkong 24-22, 21-11 in the other last-16 clash.
Two major upsets were witnessed on the third day. Former Olympic and world champion Lin Dan and the reigning Olympic champion Nozomi Okuhara were shown the door. While Super Dan lost to his compatriot Shi Yuqi 19-21, 12-21, Okuhara went down to Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 13-21, 21-13, 21-14. Former world No.2 Ji Hyun Sung was stunned by Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei 15-21, 21-18, 23-21.
Indian results (Rd II):
Men’s singles: 4-Kidambi Srikanth bt Tzu Wei Wang (Tpe) 22-20, 21-12.
Women’s singles: PV Sindhu bt Ying Ying Lee (Mas) 21-8, 21-14.
Saina Nehwal lost to 2-Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 13-21.
