Third seed Saina Nehwal eased into the women’s singles quarterfinals at the All England championships with a convincing 21-15, 21-15 win over South Korean qualifier Kim Hyo Min here on Thursday.
Saina next faces her nemesis Wang Yihan, who enjoys an 8-1 head-to-head over the Hyderabad girl.
In men’s singles, H.S. Prannoy lost in the second round to British shuttler Rajiv Ouseph. In a battle which lasted an hour and 12 minutes, Ouseph won 17-21, 21-19, 21-18.
In doubles, the Indonesian pair of Gideon Markus Fernaldi and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo overcame the Indian duo of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy in the pre-quarterfinals. The Indonesians prevailed 21- 13, 19-21, 21-15 in 44 minutes.
Xuerui falls
While women’s top seed Li Xuerui suffered a surprise defeat to compatriot Sun Yun, five-time champion Lin Dan reached the third round.
Li, the winner in 2012, was beaten 21-13, 21-13 by the 21- year-old Sun.
“I tried my best, but I have not entirely recovered from my foot injury yet. I only started training again about two weeks ago,” said Li.
Lin Dan struggles
Two-time Olympic champion ‘Super Dan’ laboured past teammate Hou Tianwei 21-15, 21-19 and will take on Kento Momoto of Japan for a semifinal berth.
Top seed Chen Long, last year’s beaten finalist, crushed Hsu Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei 21-7, 21-9.
The results (featuring Indians): Men’s singles: Second round: Rajiv Ouseph (GBr) bt H.S. Prannoy 17-21, 21-19, 21-18.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Gideon Markus Fernaldi & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) bt Manu Attri & B. Sumeeth Reddy 21-13, 19-21, 21-15.
Women’s singles: Second round: Saina Nehwal bt Kim Hyo Min (Kor) 21-15, 21-15.
