HK Open: Saina in quarterfinal,Kashyap crashes out

Saina Nehwal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Super after defeating Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand.

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Super Series with a comfortable straight-game win over Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand in Wanchai on Thursday.

The World number two Indian took just 26 minutes to get the better off Ponsana 21-10 21-12 in the second round of the women’s singles event.

However,Commonwealth Games bronze medallist P Kashyap had a disappointing day on the court as the Indian lost in straight-games to fifth seed Jin Chen of China.

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Kashyap was defeated 15-21-18-21 by Chen in a 45 minute battle in men’s singles.

Saina surged ahead from 4-4 to a eight point lead and then extended the lead to 16-5 and 18-10 before pocketing the first game comfortably.

The second game was no different as she opened a five point lead at 6-1 and then held her fort to complete a convincing victory.

Saina had played Ponsana twice before — the Hong Kong Super Series in 2008 and the Thomas and Uber Cup and the Indian has a 100 per cent record against her Thai rival.

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The 20-year-old will take on the winner of the match between Pui Yin Yip and seventh seed Korean Youn Joo Bae in the quarterfinals on Friday.