Saina Nehwal’s stay at the French Open Super Series badminton tournament was cut short in the second round by Akane Yamaguchi here on Thursday. The fifth-seeded Japanese took out the Indian 21-9, 23-21 in 39 minutes.
Meanwhile, K. Srikanth and P.V. Sindhu crossed the first hurdle to progress to the second round on Wednesday.
Srikanth, who had clinched his third title of the season at Denmark Open Super Series Premier last week, advanced after his opponent Germany’s Fabian Roth retired at 0-3 in the opening game.
Sindhu, who also has been in good form this season, with two titles and a silver at the World Championship, saw off Spain’s Beatriz Corrales 21-19, 21-18.
The men’s pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty too made a positive start, disposing off France’s Bastian Kersaudy and Julien Maio 21-12, 21-14.
The results:
Women: Second round: Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) bt Saina Nehwal 21-9, 23-21. First round: P.V. Sindhu bt Beatriz Corrales (Esp) 21-19, 21-18.
Men: K. Srikanth bt Fabian Roth (Ger) 3-0 retired. Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty bt Bastian Kersaudy & Julien Maio (Fra) 21-12, 21-14 .
