Manu-Ashwini enter main draw of Indonesia Open

Manu Attri and Ashwini Ponnappa defeated the local pair, Didit Juang and Keshya Nurvita Hanadia 19-21, 21-10, 21-11 in 33 minutes to enter the main competition.

Ashwini Ponnappa (left) and Jwala Gutta will play their first match on Wednesday.

India’s mixed doubles pair, Manu Attri and Ashwini Ponnappa on Monday qualified to the main draw of the Indonesia Open Superseries Premier badminton tournament here.

They first defeated Indonesians Hendra Tandjaya and Monika Intan Tutiharta 21-18, 21-13 in 23 minutes to enter the second qualifying round.

Then, Manu-Ashwini overcame another local pair of Didit Juang and Keshya Nurvita Hanadia 19-21, 21-10, 21-11 in 33 minutes to enter the main competition.

On Tuesday, they will face Singapore’s Yong Kai Terry Hee and Wei Han Tan in the first round. Eighth seed Saina Nehwal will meet Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu Po in the opening round.

On Wednesday, Manu will play men’s doubles partnering B. Sumeeth Reddy, while Ashwini will team up with Jwala Gutta. A total of 322 players from 23 countries and regions will feature in the competition.