French Open: Sindhu, Srikanth, Prannoy have it easy; Kashyap exits
Kidambi Srikanth (Image credit-AMP · India Today - India Today Group)
Paris: Ace Indian shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and P.V. Sindhu made winning starts to progress to the second round of the USD $325, 000 French Open at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin stadium in Paris on Thursday. While the recently crowned Denmark Open champion Srikanth had it easy after opponent Fabin Roth of Germany retired hurt at 0-3 in the opening set, World Championships silver medalist Sindhu won 21-19, 21-18 defeating Spain’s Beatriz Corrales in straight sets.
The 24-year-old Srikanth from Hyderabad who is having a stellar year, have already won three Superseries Premiers- the Indonesia Open and the Australian Open along with the Denmark Open and will now face Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki Vincent in the second round, whom he defeated in the previous tournament en route to his title.
Meanwhile, PV Sindhu continued her golden run as she aims for her third Superseries title in 2017. She will face Japan’s Sayaka Takahsasiin the second round on Friday.
Earlier, HS Prannoy and B Sai Praneeth along with the women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikkim Reddy also progressed to the second round of the French Open. But it was not the same for Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap who could not progress despite putting up a gallant fight against Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. He lost 23-21 18-21 17-21 to the Indonesian rising star, who had won the Korea Open this season.
The in-form Prannoy took just 43 minutes to knock out Denmark Open finalist Lee Hyun of Korea 21-15, 21-17 in straight sets. “It’s a good victory. I played a patient game and paced it perfectly. I am happy with the way I won,” said Prannoy after the match, quoted the Times of India.
In the men’s doubles category, the Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also made winning start to their campaign as they saw off France’s Bastian Kersaudy and Julien Maio 21-12, 21-14 in a straight sets, in a match that lasted just 30 minutes. The pair will face Mads Conrad- Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding in the second round.