China Open: Sindhu enters quarterfinals

Changzhou, September 20: Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu survived a scare before overcoming Thailand's world No 24 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-23, 21-13, 21-18 to enter the quartefinals of the China Open Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 1000 tournament. Another Indian to enter the quarters was Kidambi Srikanth, who survived a similar outing like compatriot Sindhu.

Seeded third in the tournament, Sindhu dropped the first game 21-23, but took control of the match thereon and held the lead to win the next two games and close out the match held at the Olympic Sports Center Xincheng Gymnasium courts.

The victory helped Sindhu maintain her clean slate over Ongbamrungphan as the head-to-head now stands at to 9-0.

The Olympic and Asian Games silver medallist had clinched the BWF China Open back in 2016 and will be looking to win the $700,000 prize-money tournament again this time.

Earlier in the pre-quarters, the BWF World Championship silver medallist had defeateded world No 39 Saena Kawakami of Japan 21-15, 21-13.

The 23-year-old has been the most consistent this season with silver medals in all the major events this year - the Commonwealth Games, the World Championship and the Asian Games.

Sindhu also reached the finals at the India Open and Thailand Open, though she suffered a shock second-round defeat at the hands on China's unheralded Gao Fangjie in the last week's Japan Open.

The other leading Indian women's shuttler -- two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina Nehwal -- had crashed out of the tournament after losing 22-20, 8-21, 14-21 to Korea's Sung Ji Hyun in a 48-minute opener. Saina is also a former China Open winner, having won the tournament in 2014.

Meanwhile, like compatriot Sindhu, Srikanth was also made to work to enter the quarter-finals of China Open. Srikanth got off to a strong start initially but couldn't capitalise on it and struggled to secure a win.

The Indian fought hard against his Thai oppenent Suppanyu Avihingsanon. Srikanth won the opening game with ease, but lost the momentum in the second. Finally in the decider two back-to-back points saw the Indian eke out a 21-12, 15-21, 24-22 win to enter the last eight stage.