Sindhu and Co. advance in Japan Open

It was a good day for Indian shuttlers as P.V. Sindhu and others moved into the second round of the Japan Open Super Series being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium here Wednesday.

Sindhu, K. Srikanth, Ajay Pawar, Ajay Jayaram, H.S. Prannoy and the combine of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy all won their respective matches to enter the pre-quarterfinals.

However, B.Sai Praneeth, Tanvi Lad and Sourabh Verma were knocked out after the first round.

Eighth seed Sindhu took half an hour in disposing local qualifier Yukino Nakai in straight games in their first match ever in the first round of women's singles. The World No.10 won 21-12, 21-13 and will next face another local qualifier, Akane Yamaguchi, in the second round.

Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold winner Srikanth had to play a marathon men's singles match to defeat local Sho Sasaki in one hour and eight minutes in what was their first encounter. The Indian won 22-20, 22-24, 21-18 against the former World No.6 and will now face qualifier Kazuteru Kozai of Japan next.

Mumbai's Pawar raised a few eyebrows as he ousted former World No.4 Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in 59 minutes to enter the pre-quarterfinals. The World No.37 won 21-17, 7-21, 21-18 for the first time against the World No.12 in four meetings. Pawar has a tough task waiting ahead of him in Malaysia's World No.1 and top seed Lee Chong Wei.

Another Mumbai lad, Jayaram also advanced by drubbing Chinese Taipei's Tien Chen Chou 21-11, 21-18 in 35 minutes. The World No.23 won his second match in as many meetings against Chou and will encounter Japanese qualifier Yuichi Ikeda.

Rising talent Prannoy came out on top by upsetting Hong Kong's Wing Ki Wong for the first time in his career in one hour and seven minutes. The Youth Olympics silver medallist won 15-21, 21-17, 24-22 and will take on top Danish shuttler Jan O Jorgensen for a place in the last eight.

Attri and Sumeeth Reddy moved into the pre-quarterfinals of men's doubles by ousting Hiroyuki Saeki and Ryota Taohata of Japan 21-17, 21-15 in 37 minutes.