P. V. Sindhu crashed out of Malaysia Open with a straight-games defeat to Sung Ji Hyun in the second round on Thursday. She lost 18-21, 7-21 in a match that lasted 43 minutes. Kidambi Srikanth kept India's challenge alive with a straight-games victory over China's Chen Long.
Mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N. Sikki Reddy lost 21-15 17-21 13-21 to local combination of Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing of Malaysia India to bow out.
After losing a closely-fought first game, Sindhu was beaten at a canter in the second, with Sung Ji, who had beaten the ace Indian shuttler at All England Championship, handing her a third straight loss.
Sung Ji will play China's Chen Yufei in the quarterfinal.
Speaking after the match, Sindhu said, "I couldn't control the shuttle and made too many unforced errors. There was a lot of drift today. I think I should have played more into the court. I was feeling nervous. Physically I'm feeling fine."
Srikanth, meanwhile, secured a 21-11, 21-15 win over Thailand's Khosit Phetpradab, booking his place in the last-eight in 32 minutes.
Srikanth will play China's Chen Long in the quarterfinal on Friday.
World No. 1 Kento Momota was another casualty at Malaysian Open, going down 20-22, 15-21 to Indonesia's Jonatan Christie.
The victorious Christie said, "Momota is the world’s best player right now – the All England champion, world champion and reigning No. 1. It was never going to be easy playing him. However, I managed to get the better of him because I had nothing to lose and I took my chances well."
Christie will next play Viktor Axelsen.
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