20-year-old B Sai Praneeth took the Indonesian Super Series Premier tournament by storm yesterday after beating former world champion Taufik Hidayat to storm into the pre-quarter-finals.
The Indian fought back after being a game down to shock the former World No 1 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 in a 52-minute first round encounter. u00a0World No 55 Praneeth now faces current World No 1 Lee Chong Wei in the pre-quarter-finals today.
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Meanwhile, Ajay Jayaram and RMV Gurusaidutt entered the men’s singles second round while India’s top-ranked shuttler Parupalli Kashyap crashed out.
World No 28 Jayaram beat No 71 Riyanto Subagja of Indonesia 22-20, 8-21, 21-12 in the first round. He meets local favourite and fourth seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the round of 16.
Gurusaidutt, ranked 25th, defeated Indonesian qualifier Andre Kurniawan Tedjono 22-20, 21-16. World No 10 Kashyap was given a 7-21, 8-21 hiding by Japan’s Sho Sasaki.
It was Sasaki’s second win over Kashyap in as many meetings.u00a0Saina Nehwal, who is eyeing her fourth title here, faces World No 24 Sayaka Takahashi in the second round today.u00a0