Easy opener for Saina

One of India’s brightest medal hopes, shuttler Saina Nehwal, began her campaign in style, crushing Switzerland’s Sabrina Jaquet in straight games, but the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju was virtually out of contention, at the Wembley arena on Sunday.

One of India’s brightest medal hopes, shuttler Saina Nehwal, began her campaign in style, crushing Switzerland’s Sabrina Jaquet in straight games, but the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju was virtually out of contention, at the Wembley arena on Sunday.

HT Image

The world No 5 did not have to sweat much as she got the better of Jaquet with an easy 21-9, 21-4 win in a contest which lasted 24 minutes. The win brought some cheers to the Indian contingent, which otherwise had a rather dull day.

Medal hopes Jwala and Diju lost to Danish Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl 12-21, 16-21 in the mixed event.