Saina, Sindhu, Srikanth win opening matches; Sen makes first-round exit

India`s Sindhu V. Pusarla reacts during her match against Taiwan`s Pai Yu Po at the women`s singles qualifying match at the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 at Muntinlupa, Philippines.Pic/AP/PTI

Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal fought off strong challenge from their opponents before winning their respective opening matches, but it was curtains for Lakshya Sen and B Sai Praneeth in Badminton Asia Championships here on Wednesday. Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu was made to toil hard by Chinese Taipei's Pai Yu Po as the fourth seeded Indian came back from a game down to win 18-21, 27-25, 21-9.

London Olympics bronze medallist Saina, also had to break her sweat to eke out a 21-15, 17-21, 21-13 win over Sim Yujin of South Korea. Sen was stunned by the unseeded Li Shi Feng of China 21-12, 10-21, 19-21. World No. 19 Sai Praneeth suffered a straight game 17-21, 13-21 defeat against Jonatan Christie of Indonesia. Seventh seeded Kidambi Srikanth defeated Tze Yong Ng of Malaysia 22-20, 21-15.