Saina Nehwal’s journey ends in India Open, PV Sindhu reaches quarterfinals
badminton
By-Vineet Kumar
Photo Credit: Twitter/ BAI
new Delhi. India‘s two-time Olympic medalist badminton star PV Sindhu and men’s HS Prannoy have made it to the quarterfinals of the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2022 in Delhi, while Saina Nehwal’s match was played on Thursday. The journey in the tournament has come to an end. Former champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal was defeated by Malvika Bansod of India in straight sets 17-21 and 9-21 to end her journey back into the tournament. Malvika, ranked 111 in badminton’s ATP rankings, defeated former world No 1 ranked Saina in a one-sided match that lasted 34 minutes.
Earlier, PV Sindhu, who stunned India on the world’s highest podium, stunned fellow Indian badminton star Ira Sharma in straight sets 21-10 and 21-10. PV Sindhu will now face her compatriot Ashmita Chaliha, who has made it to the quarterfinals by defeating French star Yale Hyeaux 21-17, 21-14.
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At the same time, Malvika will next face India’s Akarshi Kashyap in the quarterfinal match. Akarshi Kashyap defeated Keura Moptin in straight sets 21-10, 21-10 to make it to the match against PV Sindhu in the second round of women’s singles. Indian men’s singles star HS Prannoy has got a chance to reach the quarterfinals due to a walkover.
HS Prannoy was to face Mithun Manjunath but before the match he was found infected in the test of Corona virus and had to be out of the tournament. Men’s top seed Kidambi Srikanth and doubles players Ashwini Ponnappa, Ritika Rahul Thakar, Tresa Jolie, Simran Aman Singh and Khushi Gupta were among the players who had to pull out of the tournament due to the coronavirus.
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HS Prannoy will now face the winner of the second round match between third seed Lakshya Sen and Felix Berstedt of Sweden in the quarterfinal match. In men’s singles, the journey of India’s Sameer Verma also came to an end, who had to retire due to a calf strain during his match against Canada’s Bren Yang.
Story first published: Thursday, January 13, 2022, 20:58 [IST]
