Saina Nehwal bounced back to overcome Denmark’s Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt in three games and make the quarterfinals of the All England Championship badminton championships here on Thursday.
The eighth-seeded Indian, who had taken out Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour 21-17, 21-18 in the first round, won 8-21, 21-16, 21-13 in 51 minutes.
Earlier, B. Sai Praneeth crashed out of the tournament following a 21-12, 21-17 loss to NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong.
Meanwhile on Wednesday night, K. Srikanth also made a winning start by notching up a straight-game win. The Indian took half an hour to dispose off France’s Brice Leverdez 21-13, 21-11.
“I really enjoy it a lot, it’s something every player looks up to and the challenge is even more tougher than regular Super Series events,” said Saina after her win over Gilmour.
Sameer Verma squandered a first game advantage to go down fighting 16-21, 21-18, 21-14 to former World champion and World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
Lin Dan exits
In two big exits not involving Indians, China’s Lin Dan and Chen Long crashed in the first round. Lin, a six-time winner, fell to a 19-21, 21-14, 21-7 defeat against Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama, while Olympic champion and two-time winner Chen crashed out 21-15, 21-17 to Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke.
The results: Men:Second round: NG Ka Long Angus (HK) bt B. Sai Praneeth 21-12, 21-17. First round: Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt Sameer Verma 16-21, 21-18, 21-14; K. Srikanth bt Brice Leverdez (Fra) 21-13, 21-11.
Doubles: Ou Xuanyi & Ren Xiangyu (Chn) bt Manu Attri & B. Sumeeth Reddy 21-19, 16-21, 21-14.
Women: Second round: Saina Nehwal bt Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt (Den) 8-21, 21-16, 21-13. First round: Saina bt Kristy Gilmour (Sco) 21-17, 21-18.
Doubles: Shiho Tanaka & Koharu Yonemoto (Jpn) bt Ashwini Ponappa & N. Sikki Reddy 16-21, 28-26, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Chang Tak Ching & NG Wing Yung (HK) bt Sikki & Pranaav Jerry Chopra 23-21, 21-17 .
