French Open: Srikanth, Saina sail into second round

Defending champion Kidambi Srikanth and his compatriot Saina Nehwal advanced to the second round of the French Open with straight-game wins at the USD 750,000 BWF World Tour Super 750 event on Wednesday.

The first set was tough for the World No 6 Srikanth as Vincent was leading the game with 11-7. Eventually, after a close encounter, Srikanth seized the first game 21-19. Showing his prowess in the second set, he dominated the Hong Kong player with an 8-6 lead. Later, Srikanth raced to a 16-10 lead and then ended the match with 21-13 scoreline.

Saina, who finished runner-up in the Denmark Open last week, comfortably overwhelmed Japan's Saena Kawakami in the women's singles. The Indian was too good in her 21-11, 21-11 victory against Kawakami.

India's Sameer Verma, who had reached the quarterfinals in Denmark Open, went down fighting 21-16, 17-21, 15-21 to Asiad gold medallist Jonatan Christie of Indonesia

Men's doubles duo of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy outplayed Korean duo of Min Hyuk Kang and Kim Won Ho 21-18, 21-17.