Thailand Open: Ashmita, Sankar win first round matches in qualifiers

Ashmita defeated Unnati 21-16, 13-21, 21-19 to secure her place in the qualification playoff. Unnati will later pair up with Palak Arora in their women’s doubles qualification match.

Ashmita Chaliha in action during her women’s singles match in the 83rd Senior National badminton championship in Guwahati on February 14, 2019. | Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar

Ashmita Chaliha edged past compatriot Unnati Hooda, while Sankar Muthusamy defeated Rohan Midha of England in the first round of the Thailand Open Super 500 qualifiers in Bangkok Tuesday.

Ashmita defeated Unnati 21-16, 13-21, 21-19 to secure her place in the qualification playoff. However, Malvika Bansod, in her women’s singles qualification battle, gave a walkover to Chinese shuttler Gao Fang Jie.

In men’s singles, Sankar, the World Junior Championships silver medallist, needed 30 minutes to get better of Rohan in straight games (21-12, 21-15). The Indian youngster was defeated by Sholeh Aidil of Malaysia in the qualification playoff 17-21, 14-21.

In women’s doubles, Unnati, pairing up with Palak Arora, lost to Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Napha Samart of Thailand 10-21, 15-21.

Later, world no. 42 Sameer Verma thrashed Malaysian qualifier Yeoh Seng Zoe 21-12, 21-17, while Meiraba Luwang Maisnam was defeated by Leong Jun Hao of Malaysia 21-16, 5-21, 16-21.

In an all-Indian action, Kiron George triumphed over Kartikey Gulshan Kumar 21-14, 21-18. The other Indian shuttlers in action Harshit Aggarwal and Tanya Hemanth lost their first round match in the qualifiers.