Jayaram, Sindhu reach second round in Japan Open

India's current heroes Ajay Jayaram and P V Sindhu progress to Round Two in Japan.

Ajay Jayaram and P V Sindhu advanced to the second round of the men's and women's singles competition respectively after notching up contrasting victories in the Japan Super Series in Tokyo today.

The world number 29 Jayaram thrashed Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore 21-14 21-14, while Sindhu prevailed over Kaori Imabeppu 21-18 17-21 21-13 after a gruelling battle that last 57 minutes at Tokyo Yoyogi Gymnasium.

Jayaram and Sindhu. Photo: AFP

However, London Olympics quarterfinalist Parupalli Kashyap was not very lucky as he suffered a straight-game defeat to former world and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat. The seventh seed Indonesian beat Kashyap 21-18 21-18 in a 48-minute battle.

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Kashyap blew a seven-point cushion after being ahead at 11-4 in the first game at one point, while in the second game, Taufik didn't give the Indian any chance. RMV Gurusaidutt also lost his opening match after going down to fourth seed Sho Sasaki of Japan 18-21 15-21 in the men's singles competition.

Men's doubles pair of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu also failed to cross the first hurdle, losing 16-21 24-26 to fifth seeds Japanese duo of Naoki Kawamae and Shoji Sato.

Young shuttler Sai Praneeth B also lost his opening main draw match against Daren Liew, going down 21-17 15-21 20-22 to the Malaysian in an hour and five minutes.