It's Saina Nehwal vs PV Sindhu in India Super Series quarterfinals

Star shuttlers Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu yesterday notched up contrasting victories to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash at the India Super Series badminton tournament at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here

India’s Saina Nehwal eases to a 21-14, 21-12 win over Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong yesterday. Pic/PTI

New Delhi: Star shuttlers Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu yesterday notched up contrasting victories to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash at the India Super Series badminton tournament at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here.

London Olympics bronze medallist Saina, who had struggled past Pornpawee Chochuwong in the finals of Malaysia Masters in January, brushed aside the 19-year-old Thai girl 21-14, 21-12 in a lop-sided women's singles contest. Rio Olympics silver medallist Sindhu then staved off the challenge of Japan's Saena Kawakami 21-16, 23-21 to set up a quarter-final clash against World No. 8 Saina today.

PV Sindhu

One-game history
Saina and Sindhu have met just once in an international competition — at the 2014 Syed Modi International. Saina had won that match in straight games. They had played against each other in PBL early this year with Sindhu having an upper hand this year.

Sameer sizzles too
Earlier, Sameer Verma continued his rampaging run, notching up another stunning win over higher-ranked Hun Yu of Hong Kong in straight games to emerge as the lone Indian hope in men's singles competition.

The Hong Kong Open finalist, Sameer reached the quarter-finals with a shocking 21-17, 21-15 win in a 40-minute match. The 22-year-old from Dhar, who had clinched his maiden Grand Prix Gold event at Syed Modi Internationals in January, will face Denmark's Anders Antonsen who advanced after German Marc Zwiebler conceded a walkover.
Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain also reached the quarter-finals at the expense of India's national champion Rituparna Das, who went down 13-21, 11-21 in a one-sided contest.

Meanwhile, Former champion K Srikanth lost to Rio Olympics bronze medallist Viktor Axelsen 21-7 21-12.

B Sai Praneeth was outclassed by Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 14-21, 16-21.

Women's doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy suffered a 15-21, 10-21 loss to fourth seeded Thai pair of Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!