Canada Open: Ajay Jayaram, Sourabh Verma, Lakshya Sen enter second round

Ajay Jayaram recovers from a mid-game slump to defeat Huang Guoxing. Sourabh Verma and Lakshya Sen register wins in straight-sets.

File Photo: Lakshya Sen defeated England’s Chun Kar Lung 21-7, 21-8.

India’s Ajay Jayaram, Sourabh Verma and Lakshya Sen progressed to second round in men’s singles on the opening day of the Canada Open Super 100 tournament here.

Jayaram, a former World No. 13, recovered from a mid-game slump to outwit local hope Huang Guoxing 21-15, 20-22, 21-15 and set up a clash with fifth seed Rajiv Ouseph of England.

PREVIEW | Praneeth, Prannoy eye good show

However, Sourabh, the national champion, and Lakshya, the Asian Junior champion, didn’t have to break any sweat as they prevailed in straight games over their respective opponents. Sourabh defeated Canada’s Antonio Li 21-18, 21-13, and Lakshya thrashed England’s Chun Kar Lung 21-7, 21-8.

In the next round, Sourabh faces Canada’s B. R, Sankeerth, while Lakshya meets China’s Weng Hong Yang.

Among others Indians in action on the second day, former Commonwealth Games champion and sixth seed P. Kashyap takes on France’s Lucas Corvee, and third seed H. S. Prannoy plays Japan’s Koki Watanabe.

Both Kashyap and Prannoy had received a bye in the first round.