Six shuttlers enter pre-quarters at US GP

EL MONTE, USA: Indian shuttlers had another good day at the US Open with six of them advancing to the singles pre-quarterfinals of the US Grand Prix Gold badminton

EL MONTE, USA: Indian shuttlers had another good day at the US Open with six of them advancing to the singles pre-quarterfinals of the US Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament.

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In men’s singles, sixth seed B Sai Praneeth, who clinched the Canada Open Grand Prix last week at Calgary, defeated Canada’s BR Sankeerth 21-15, 21-7 to set up a clash with Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai, who ended the campaign of India’s RMV Gurusaidutt 21-17, 21-12.

Fifth seed HS Prannoy brushed aside Ireland’s Joshua Magee 21-9, 21-8. Young Pratul Joshi disposed off Czech Republic’s Milan Ludik 21-18, 21-13 and will fight it out against fellow Indian Anand Pawar, who defeated Austria’s David Obernosterer 21-12, 21-9.

Fourth seed Ajay Jayaram, who had hurt his shoulder at Calgary last week, prevailed over Estonia’s Raul Must 21-14, 21-9.

In women’s singles, Tanvi Lad ended the run of Guatemala’s Nikte Alejandra Sotomayor 21-6, 21-9. Ruthvika Shivani Gadde, however, had to swallow a bitter pill after her gallant fight ended with a narrow 19-21, 21-15, 18-21 loss to Ayumi Mine of Japan.

CHENGDU, CHINA: Grandmasters Harika Dronavalli and Koneru Humpy had to settle for draw in their respective games at the Fide Women’s Grand Prix chess on Thursday.

Women’s world No 3, Humpy, who was on a winning streak after three consecutive victories, had to share honours with world No 17 Lela Javakhishvili after 31 moves. Meanwhile, Harika was held by world No 29 Pia Cramling of Sweden.

The 29-year-old Humpy retained her top spot with four points in five round, while Harika was third with 3.5 points.