Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Parupalli Kashyap showed his class to march into the pre-quarterfinals of men’s singles while top seeds Saina Nehwal and the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V. Diju moved into the second round of the Badminton Asian Championships here Wednesday.

Aditi Mutatkar also moved into the second round of women’s singles on an otherwise disappointing day for Indian shuttlers on the opening day of the main draw.

In fact, world No. 30 Kashyap, the top ranked Indian in men’s singles after the pull out of Chetan Anand, saved the home side from embarrassment after nine players — six in men’s singles and three in women’s singles — tumbled out of the first two rounds of the competition.

The 23-year-old is now the lone Indian challenge left in the men’s draw. He beat Wing Ki Wong 21-14, 21-15 in the morning session before getting past Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiato 21-14, 21-16 in the second round. He will next play seventh seed Yun Hu of Hong Kong.

“Both were tough opponents and I am happy to make such a start. I have become much fitter now. I hope to continue this form in the tournament,” said Kashyap, who has been battling asthma to come so far in his international career

Saina brought cheers with an easy victory against Thailand’s Porntip Burnaprasertsuk 21-10, 21-13 in the last match of the day with a sizeable crowd backing her.

“I played quite well today. I did not expect to win so easily. In my previous meeting with her, I was stressed. But today I was more comfortable. My strokes have improved a lot and my defence was also good,” Saina said.

Saina now plays Indonesia’s Julia Pei Xian Wong, who took out Trupti Murgunde 21-17, 21-12 in the first round. Saina had beaten Julia in the 2006 Philippines Open final to win her first international tournament.

“I have played Julia before. She is coming back from a knee injury which kept her out of action for around 10 months. So, it will be a new match and I have to stay focussed.”

Also advancing to the second round was Aditi Mutatkar, who put up a valiant fight to overcome Mingtian Fu of Singapore 21-11, 17-21, 21-18.

“I desperately wanted to win this match. I was down in the third game and then rallied back. It will boost my confidence in the coming matches,” said Mutatkar, who is making a comeback from a knee injury.

Sayali Gokhale, however, made a brave comeback but lost to Singapore’s Beiwen Zhang but lost 11-21, 21-9, 18-21 in a second round match.

Neha Pandit also bowed out, going down to Malaysia’s Lydia Li Ya Cheah 14-21, 19-21.

In the mixed doubles, top seeded Jwala and Diju sailed into second round with a 21-13, 21-12 victory over Wai Hong Wong and Hoi Wah Chau of Hong Kong.

The show from the men’s players though the home crowd disapppointed.

Anup Sridhar, Arvind Bhat and Anand Pawar lost in the second round while Ajay Jayram, Gurusaidatt and K. Nandgopal fell in the opening round.

Bhat, seeded 16th, lost to Ji Hoon Hong of Korea 15-21, 21-13, 6-21 in the second round. The Indian had defeated Nepalese Bikash Shrestha 21-14, 21-11 in his first match.

Sridhar lost to Chong Chieh Lok of Malaysia 19-21, 15-21 after clearing the first round against Korean Ye Wook Rho 16-21, 21-13, 21-8.

Pawar was beaten 11-21, 14-21 by second seed Chinese Lin Dan who advanced to the third round with ease.

Gurusaidatt lost a gruelling encounter against Korean Ho Jin Choi 19-21, 22-20, 21-19. Jairam also gave a tough fight before going down to Hong Kong’ Yan Kit Chan 21-14, 13-21, 17-21. Nandgopal went down to Indonesian Nugroho Andi Saputro 15-21, 15-21.

Top seed Taufik Hidayat, like his arch-rival Dan, made it to the third round without breaking much sweat.

Taufiq defeated Ha Anh le of Vietnam 21-10, 21-16 after going past qualifier Indra Mehata of Nepal in the first round.

Also advancing to the third round were sixth seed and All England finalist Kenichi Tago of Japan and Yan Kit Chan of Hong Kong.