Changzhou (China), Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu advanced to the pre-quarterfinals while her compatriot Saina Nehwal was knocked out of the opening round at the $1 million China Open World Tour Super 1000 tournament here on Tuesday.
Sindhu, who clinched the China Open title in 2016, defeated World No 39 Saena Kawakami of Japan 21-15, 21-13 in the opening round at the Olympic Sports Centre Xincheng Gymnasium here.
However, London bronze medallist Saina went down narrowly 22-20, 8-21, 14-21 to South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun in a 48-minute clash.
In the men’s doubles, Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy progressed to the second round beating Taiwan’s Liao Min Chun and Su Ching Heng 13-21, 21-13, 21-12 in 39 minutes.
