Saina, Gurusaidutt advance in Indonesia Open

Defending champion Saina Nehwal advanced to the women's singles quarter-finals of the Indonesia Open Super Series Premier here Thursday.

The World No.2 defeated unseeded Japanese Sayaka Takahashi 21-13, 21-19 in 39 minutes in their first ever career meet at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The second seed will face Spaniard Carolina Marin in their first ever encounter in a last eight clash.

In the men's singles, R.M.V. Gurusaidutt, who achieved a career-best ranking of World No.23 Thursday, defeated Japan's Kazumasa Sakai 21-12, 9-21, 21-19 in 59 minutes to book a place against rival Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the quarterfinal. Sugiarto has a 2-1 record against the Indian, however Gurusaidutt won their last match.

Doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa, however, suffered two losses on the same day as she went down in both her mixed and women's doubles second round matches.

In the mixed category, Ashwini with Tarun Kona lost to seventh seeded Polish pairing of Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba 14-21, 21-17, 13-21 in 42 minutes. While in women's doubles, the Coorgi partnering Pradnya Gadre lost against Indonesia's Anneke Feinya Agustin and Della Destiara Haris 13-21, 19-21 in 31 minutes.

Sourabh Varma was thrashed by Indonesian third seed Pengyu Du 16-21, 6-21 in 37 minutes in the second round of men's singles.