India Open 2022: Sindhu reaches quarter-finals, Saina out

Two-time Olympic medalists PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy advanced to the quarterfinals of the Yonex Sunrise India Open badminton tournament, while Malvika Bansod defeated her idol Saina Nehwal. Former 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and champion Saina was defeated by Malvika Bansod, 20, 21-17, 21-9. Bansod, ranked 111th in the world rankings, took 34 minutes to beat the former world number one.

Bansod said: “It was my first meeting with Saina Nehwal. She has been my idol since I started playing badminton. Playing against her in a big tournament like the Indian Open was like a dream come true. It was my biggest win. race”. . It is.”

Saina, who plays after recovering from knee and groin injuries, had recorded a first-round victory but said she would still have to work hard to improve her fitness. “Today I was moving well, but the fitness level is not what it should be. I was playing here to see how much improvement needs to be made,” he said.

Previously, top seed Sindhu beat compatriot Ira Sharma 21-10, 21-10. Now he will face Ashmita Chaliha, who defeated Yaele Hoyau 21-17, 21-14. Bansod will face the Indian Akarshi Kashyap. Akarshi defeated compatriot Keura Mopatin 21-10, 21-10. Prannoy received a walkover when Mithun Manjunath withdrew from the tournament due to testing positive for Corona.

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In the men’s section, top seed Kidambi Srikanth, doubles players Ashwini Ponnappa, Ritika Rahul Thakar, Trisa Jolly, Simon Aman Singh and Khushi Gupta all retired after being crown positive. Prannoy will face the winner of the match between Lakshya Sen and Felix Bustet of Sweden. Sameer Verma’s campaign also came to an end in the second round, who dropped out of the match against Canada’s Bren Yang midway due to a hamstring strain.