Sameer Verma, Praneeth win; Kashyap gets walkover in Macau

Sameer Verma defeated Milan Ludik of Czech Republic 21-11 21-16 in just over half-an-hour and will face Muhammad Bayu Pangisthu of Indonesia in the next round.

Fresh from reaching the Hong Kong Open, India’s Sameer Verma eased into the second round of the Monaco Open Grand Prix Gold on Tuesday with two other male counterparts.

Sameer Verma eased into the second round of the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold on Tuesday after defeating Milan Ludik of Czech Republic 21-11, 21-16, (Getty Images)

Verma defeated Milan Ludik of Czech Republic 21-11 21-16 in just over half-an-hour and will face Muhammad Bayu Pangisthu of Indonesia in the next round.

India’s Parupalli Kashyap, whose Rio Olympics hopes were dashed due to injury, got a first round walkover while Sai Praneeth defeated Macau’s Lam Hou Him 21-3 21-8. He will next play Sun Feixiang of China.

Prannoy gives walkover

However, HS Prannoy, seeded seventh, retired while trailing 2-6 against Chen Chun-wei of Chinese Taipei.

India’s biggest title hope PV Sindhu, who won the China Open and reached the final of the Hong Kong Open last week, pulled out to focus on the year-ending Dubai World Superseries Finals, starting on December 14.

However, Saina Nehwal, continuing her comeback following knee surgery, will face 21-year-old Indonesian Hanna Ramadini first up.