Shuttler Pawar gets walkover, enters Round 2 in China

Indian shuttler Anand Pawar today advanced to the second round of Adidas China Masters Super Series without breaking any sweat as he got a walkover after top seed and defending champion Chen Long of China failed to turn up.

The world number 39 Indian must have been expecting an extremely tough encounter against a fancied Chinese opponent, ranked second in the world, but escaped with a walkover.

In the next round, Pawar faces Japan's Sho Sasaki against whom he has a poor 0-2 record head-to-head. Sasaki beat Song Xue of China 21-16 19-21 21-14 in the first round.

Ajay Jayaram will take the field in the first round against Chen Yuekun of China tomorrow.