Former National singles champions Arvind Bhat, Chetan Anand and the mixed doubles combination of G. Jwala and Jishnu Sanyal failed to qualify for the main draw of the $250,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open badminton championship here on Tuesday.
Bhat, fresh from winning the German Open, was widely expected to advance. However, young Ajay Kumar packed off Bhat 22-20, 23-21 to earn a first-round clash with top seed and World No.1 Lee Chong Wei.
Former National champion Anup Sridhar needed 30 minutes to beat Anand 21-14, 21-16. The Japanese duo of Takeshi Kamura and Misato Aratama took out Jwala and Sanyal 21-12, 21-15.
In women’s section, unseeded Mudra Dhainje upstaged fourth seed Dhanya Nair 21-15, 21-11. — Special Correspondent
