Saina Nehwal started her title defence with a thrashing straight-game victory over local girl Tsz Ka Chan to advance to the second round of the Hong Kong Super Series today.
World number four Saina too just 28 minutes to sent Chan packing 21-4 21-17 in the women's singles competition at the Hong Kong Coliseum here. Ajay Jayaram, who had reached the top 16 in the World Championships and gave some brilliant performances in the last six months, stunned world number six Sho Sasaki in the opening round of the men's singles event.
The World number 34 Indian beat the sixth seed Japanese 14-21 21-18 21-14 in a match that lasted for 49 minutes to set up a clash with Jie Yao of Holland in the second round. Arvind Bhat and RMV Gurusaidutt also notched up contrasting wins to reach the second round. While Arvind beat Tien Chen Chou 21-18 21-15, Gurusaidutt defeated French Brice Leverdez 21-11 21-16 in another match.
Up against four-time World Champion Lin Dan, India's P Kashyap put his heart out and was leading 1-0 before going down 21-16 17-21 14-21 in a one hour and seven minutes. Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas also reached the next round after beating English pair of Chris Adcock and Andrew Ellis 21-16 21-17 in the men's double competition. Jwala Gutta and V Diju also made it to the second round of the mixed doubles event with a 21-15 26-24 victory over local pair of Wai Hong Wong and Hoi Wah Chau. However, India's ace women's doubles pair of Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa crashed out of the tournament, losing 15-21 14-21 to eight seeds Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of England.
{{/usCountry}}Up against four-time World Champion Lin Dan, India's P Kashyap put his heart out and was leading 1-0 before going down 21-16 17-21 14-21 in a one hour and seven minutes. Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas also reached the next round after beating English pair of Chris Adcock and Andrew Ellis 21-16 21-17 in the men's double competition. Jwala Gutta and V Diju also made it to the second round of the mixed doubles event with a 21-15 26-24 victory over local pair of Wai Hong Wong and Hoi Wah Chau. However, India's ace women's doubles pair of Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa crashed out of the tournament, losing 15-21 14-21 to eight seeds Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of England.
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