Denmark Open: Saina downs Marin; Sindhu crashes out

Saina Nehwal joined compatriots Kidambi Srikanth and H. S. Prannoy in the second round of the Denmark Open with a 22-20, 21-18 win over Spain's Carolina Marin, but P.V. Sindhu crashed out after losing to young Chinese sensation Yufei Chen in a late night encounter on Wednesday.

It was a disappointing end to the day for Indians who were riding on a high after Saina's stunning victory over Olympic Champion Marin.

Yufei Chen has made a smooth transition from being a world junior champion (2016) to a top contender in the senior circuit. On Wednesday, she made her intent to dominate the senior circuit clear with a convincing 21-17, 23-21 victory over World No. 2 Sindhu. The 19-year-old Chinese is currently ranked No. 10 in the world and is a World Championship bronze medallist.

Read: Srikanth, Prannoy move into second round

Earlier in the day, Saina Nehwal spread cheers with a straight-forward win over Main. There was virtually nothing to choose between the two competitors in the first game, which went neck-and-neck until 20-all, at which juncture Saina won two points in a row to take the lead. Saina managed to establish a small lead after 7-all in the second game. She held on to the lead till the end.