Sourabh Verma first storm into limelight when he reached the quarterfinals of the maiden India Open Super Series in April this year.
He then reached the quarterfinals of that tournament, claiming the scalps of top-10 players Kenichi Tago and Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
On Thursday, the 22-year-old from Dhar proved that the performance was not a flash in the pan as he upset fourth seed Tommy Sugiarto 21-17, 21-17 to reach the last eight stage of the Syed Modi Memorial India Open Grand Prix badminton tournament in Lucknow.
Adding to the joy of the Verma family was the exceptional run of his younger brother Sameer. The 19-year-old, who won the Asian Under-19 championship silver medal at this very venue, continued his fine run by thrashing compatriot Rohit Yadav 21-14, 21-11 to book a quarterfinal date against fifth seed Wing Ki Wong of Hong Kong.
Apart from the Verma brothers, it was an otherwise a disappointing day for the Indian contingent with RMV Guru Sai Dutt and PV Sindhu bowing out. While Guru went down against second seed Taufiq Hidayat 21-13, 21-19, Sindhu wasted a good start to lose 24-22, 21-7 against Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand in the pre quarters.
Also on the receiving end were World Championship bronze medalist and third-seeded pair of G Jwala and Ashwini Ponappa who lost to Malaysian duo Liu Ying Goh and Yin Loo Lim 21-18, 14-21, 16-21.
Santoso withdraws
A day after top seed Indian women player Saina Nehwal withdrawing on health ground, top men’s seed Simon Santoso of Indonesia also conceded his pre-quarterfinal match against Misbun Ramdan Mohmed Misbun of Malaysia due to ill health.
Santoso withdraws
A day after top seed Indian women player Saina Nehwal withdrawing on health ground, top men’s seed Simon Santoso of Indonesia also conceded his pre-quarterfinal match against Misbun Ramdan Mohmed Misbun of Malaysia due to ill health.
“The player is suffering from upper respiratory tract infection and he is unfit to play further in the event,” official doctor of the event SB Purohit said.