Badminton Asia Championships: Saina, Sindhu, Srikanth advance; Lakshya suffers shock loss

Li Shi Feng of China made an impressive comeback to beat India's Lakshya sen 12-21, 21-10, 21-19 in a gruelling tie that lasted 56 minutes.

FILE PHOTO: It was Lakshya's match to lose as he held a 17-10 lead in the deciding game but Li prevailed to beat the fifth seed to complete his comeback.

Saina Nehwal registered a hard-fought 21-15, 17-21, 21-13 win over Korea's Sim Yu-jin in her opening match at the Asian Campionships in Manila, Philippines on Wednesday.

However, Lakshya Sen was knocked out of the tournament by Li Shi Feng of China in the men's first round.  The Chinese shuttler made an impressive comeback after losing the first game to defeat Sen 12-21, 21-10, 21-19.  It was Lakshya's match to lose as he held a 17-10 lead in the deciding game but Li prevailed to beat the fifth seed to complete his comeback in a gruelling tie that lasted 56 minutes.

Later, P. V. Sindhu survived a scare to get past Chinese Taipei's Pai Yu Po 18-21, 27-25, 21-9. Malvika Bansod bowed out after a nip-and-tuck contest against Yeo Jia Min, losing 21-9, 17-21, 24-26.

Kidambi Srikanth registered a first round win over Malyasia's NG Tze Yong 22-20, 21-15.

Earlier, top seed Kento Momota also suffered a shock 17-21, 21-17, 21-7 first-round defeat to Indonesia's Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo who held his nerves to turn the match in his favour.

 

Shortly after, Top seed Akane Yamaguchi beat India's Akarshi Kashyap comfortably in straight sets (21-15, 21-9).

READ |

READ |

It's been an agonising day so far for the Indians as India's Ashwini Bhat-Shikha Gautam duo were outmatched 21-19 21-12 by Malaysia's Teoh Mei Xing and Anna Ching Yik Cheong.

Sai Praneeth also made a first round exit as he was ousted 21-17, 21-13 by fourth seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in a 34 minute match.

Kidambi Srikanth will face Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in the men's singles category.