Hong Kong:
Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal became a first round casualty after suffering a straight-game defeat against Jie Yao of the Netherlands in women's singles of the Hong Kong Super Series badminton here on Wednesday.
Eighth seeded Saina was not in her elements as the 20-year-old went down 16-21 12-21 in just 26 minutes against unseeded Yao to crash out of the tournament.
However, Indian men's doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas registered a scintillating win over Malaysian Pak Chu Chow and Chieng Hun Hong 21-18 21-9 in a 28-minute battle to reach the second round of the event.
The world number six Indian faltered from the start and could pose no threat to her unheralded opponent. Yao opened up a 7-1 lead initially and even though Saina narrowed the gap to 16-18, the Dutch pocketed three straight points to grab the first game.
The second game was no different as after 2-2, Yao moved ahead to 6-2 first and then widen the gap to 17-12 before finishing it off in style as Saina was left awe-struck.
Meanwhile, Indian mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta will take on English combo of Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg in the second round on Thursday.
Eighth seeded Saina was not in her elements as the 20-year-old went down 16-21 12-21 in just 26 minutes against unseeded Yao to crash out of the tournament.
However, Indian men's doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas registered a scintillating win over Malaysian Pak Chu Chow and Chieng Hun Hong 21-18 21-9 in a 28-minute battle to reach the second round of the event.
The world number six Indian faltered from the start and could pose no threat to her unheralded opponent. Yao opened up a 7-1 lead initially and even though Saina narrowed the gap to 16-18, the Dutch pocketed three straight points to grab the first game.
The second game was no different as after 2-2, Yao moved ahead to 6-2 first and then widen the gap to 17-12 before finishing it off in style as Saina was left awe-struck.
Meanwhile, Indian mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta will take on English combo of Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg in the second round on Thursday.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
