Asian Games: Saina Nehwal enters quarterfinals

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal on Saturday qualified for the quarterfinals of women's singles in the ongoing 18th edition of Asian Games when she defeated Indonesia's Fitriani by 21-6, 21-14 in straight sets.

The 28-year-old Hyderabad shuttler was dominant right from the beginning of the game, as she displayed a range of her attacking shots to leave Fitriani in a spot of bother. The Indonesian shuttler struggled especially in the first set as she failed to counter the impressive shots of Nehwal.

Although Fitriani maintained a lead of 7-4 in the second set, Nehwal soon overtook her to breeze through a comfortable victory in a match that lasted for just half an hour.

Elsewhere, Indian athletes began their campaign on a promising note as Muhammed Anas and Arokia Rajiv qualified for the men's 400m semi-finals. High-jumper Chethan Subramanya also qualified for the men's high jump final, as he finished fifth in Group B and cleared the mark of 2.15.

In shooting, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anish Bhanwala and Shivam Shukla finished 9th and 11th positions respectively, as they failed to qualify for the men's 25m rapid fire pistol final.

In volleyball, India beat Maldives 25-12, 25-21, 25-17 in men's Pool F match.

In archery, India beat Vietnam 5-3 to enter the quarterfinal of recurve men's team Archery event. However, their women counterparts comprising Ankita Bhakat, Promila Diamary and Deepika Kumari were knocked out by Chinese Taipei (6-2) from the semifinals of the recurve women's team Archery event.

India is now standing at the ninth position with a total medal tally of 25 - six gold, five silver and 14 bronze.