Sindhu, Prannoy enter pre-quarters of Thai Open

Olympic silver medallist Sindhu brushed aside Bulgaria’s Linda Zetchiri 21-8 21-15 in the opening round to set up a clash with Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin. 

Playing only his second tournament after recovering from an inflammation in his ankle, Prannoy defeated Spain’s Pablo Abian, who had clinched the White Nights title last Sunday, 21-16 21-19 in a men’s singles match at Nimibutr Stadium here. 

The fourth seeded Indian will face experienced Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia. Returning to action after recovering from a stress fracture on his shin, 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap saw off Canada’s Jason Anthony HoShue 21-15 21-17 to set up a pre-quarterfinal match against Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama.

Meanwhile, men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy prevailed over Chinese Taipei’s Chen Hung Ling and Wang Chi-Lin 21-18 15-21 21-17 to reach the prequarterfinals. 

However, it was curtains for Swiss Open champion Sameer Verma and young Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka in the opening round. Sameer lost 18-21 16-21 to Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, while Vaishnavi was shown the door by eighth seed Sayaka Sato of Japan after notching up a 21-13 21-17 win over the Indian.