New Delhi: Indian shuttler PV Sindhu defeated compatriot Ira Sharma in two straight sets 21-10, 21-10, and advanced to round 3 of the ongoing India Open 2022 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, New Delhi, on Thursday.
Sindhu dominated the first set with a natural lead while Sharma tried gaining momentum. Sindhu wrapped the set within 13 minutes with a clear 21-10 win. The next set began with Sharma dominating the court and counter-attacking Sindhu into unforced errors. However, the calm Olympic medallist gained momentum and won the second set 21-10 in 33 minutes.
Meanwhile, Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was knocked out of the competition after being defeated by compatriot Malvika Bansod 17-21, 9-21 in round two of the India Open 2022 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, New Delhi, on Thursday.
As soon as Nehwal ended two points behind her opponent by 5-7 in the first set, Bansod took the advantage and charged aggressively at Nehwal with her on-point aces and swift flexes. Bansod won the first set 21-17.
Bansod kept the aggression throughout the second set as she dominated and eventually won the match with a 21-9 within 35 minutes.
The Badminton Authority of India (BAI) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) had earlier confirmed the withdrawal of seven players from the tournament after they tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
(Avya Mathur)