badminton

Kidambi Srikanth, PV Sindhu Enter Second Round but Saina Nehwal, HS Prannoy Exit From Thailand Open

By H.JanGra May 19, 2022

Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu huffed and puffed her way to the women's singles second round

while Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, the protagonists of India's historic Thomas Cup triumph, suffered contrasting fates in the opening round of Thailand Open in Bangkok on Wednesday

Sindhu, seeded sixth and ranked seventh in the world, staved off a spirited challenge from world number 62

USA's Lauren Lam 21-19, 19-21, 21-18 to set up a clash with Sim Yu Jin, who had played a pivotal role in Korea's Uber Cup win.

Fresh from playing a major role in the Thomas Cup victory, Srikanth, seeded eighth, produced a gritty show to get the better of Brice Leverdez of France 18-21, 21-10, 21-16 in 49 minutes.

The World number 11 Indian will next face Ireland's Nhat Nguyen, who defeated Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus of Denmark 21-12, 23-21 in the first round.