Azerbaijan International: Sourabh Verma, Krishna Priya crash out

National champion Sourabh Verma was knocked out in the first round of the Azerbaijan International badminton tournament.

Sourabh Verma defeated local hero Tien Minh to reach the semifinals.

Spain’s unseeded Luis Enrique defeated senior National champion Sourabh Verma, the World No. 46 and the fifth seed, 21-15, 23-21 in a men’s first round match of the Azerbaijan International badminton tournament in Baku on Friday.

In another men’s first round match of the $25,000 International Challenge event, Denmark’s top-seeded Rasmus Gemke defeated qualifier Kevin Arokia Walter 21-6, 21-13.

Meanwhile, in the women’s first round, Sri Krishna Priya lost to Spain’s Clara Azurmendi  13-21, 11-21.