Patchy Saina squeezes into 2nd round of Singapore Open

Saina Nehwal survived some anxious moments before getting past qualifier Maja Tvrdy of Slovenia in a thrilling three-game opening tie.

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal survived some anxious moments before getting past qualifier Maja Tvrdy of Slovenia in a thrilling three-game opening tie at the Singapore Open Super Series in Singapore City on Wednesday.

Sixth seed Saina came from behind to beat Maja 18-21 21-11 21-16 in a 50-minute gruelling battle in their women’s singles match.

However,compatriot Aditi Mutatkar suffered a first round defeat against Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands after she went down 21-14 21-19 in a just over half an hour clash in another match.

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It was also curtains for India’s mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju as the duo went down to sixth seeded Chinese pair of Zhongbo Xie and Yawen Zhang 21-13 21-14 in 23 minutes.

Saina said initially she was struggling to adjust to the conditions of the court.

“It was a difficult match. She was a solid player. She was better aware about the conditions while I struggled initially. I was making many unforced errors,hitting the shuttle outside and conceded the game,” she said.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

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Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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