The Indian shuttlers had a mixed day in the first round matches in Japan Open Super Series. In the matches so far played only P Kashyap HS Prannoy and Saina Nehwal have qualified to next round while PV Sindhu, Ajay Jayram, Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponappa and P Gadree-N Sikki Reddy lost in the first round matches
In the women’s singles match PV Sindhu lost to Japanese player Mitani in three grueling games 13-21,21-17 and 11-21. In the first game, PV Sindhu made a lot of errors on the net. From the start, the Japanese player dominated and led 11-5 at the interval. After the interval, the Japanese took the control of the game and won the first set 21-13. In the second game, PV Sindhu started well taking a 5-3 lead. At the interval, PV Sindhu led 11-9. After the interval, PV Sindhu continued to chip away with the points and won the second set 21-17. In the deciding game, the Japanese player attacked from the start and from 4-4 took 7 successive points for to reach at 11-4 lead at the interval. Mitani maintained the lead and won the match 21-11.
In other women’s singles match Saina Nehwal beat Thailand’s Busan in straight sets 21-14,22-20. In the first game, Busan started well taking a 3-0 lead. Busan took a 7-4 lead before Saina Nehwal came back well to level the score at 8-8. Saina Nehwal took an 11-9 lead at the interval. After the interval, Busan came back to level the score at 11-11 but Saina Nehwal took 3 successive points to take a 14-11 lead but Busan took 2 points to reduce the gap to 13-14. Saina Nehwal took 5 successive points for 19-14 and took the first game 21-14. In the second game, Busan took a 2-0 lead and continued to take a lead till 4-3. Saina Nehwal then took 6 straight points for the 9-4 lead. At the interval, Saina Nehwal-led 11-5. After the interval, Saina Nehwal was leading at 17-14 but Busan came back and reduce the gap to 16-17. Busan equaled the scoring at 19-19 and took the lead at 20-19, but Saina Nehwal took 4 successive points to win the second game and match 22-20. She will face Mitani of Japan in the second round.
In men’s singles, Kashyap enters into the second round with a win over Takuma Udea who retired midway 3-2 in the opening game.
Meanwhile, Ajay Jayaram lost to Victor Axeslen in straight games 10-21, 10-21. In the first game, both players won 2 points each but Victor took control of the match at 4-4 winning 4 out of 6 points for an 8-6 lead for Victor. At the interval, Victor leads 11-6. After the interval, Victor took a commanding lead of 16-8 putting lots of pressure on the Indian player. Victor won the first set 21-10. In the second game, the match started on a good note for both players as the score were 7-7 but Victor put pressure on Ajay as Victor led 11-8 at the interval. After the interval, Victor dominated and won the second game 21-10. K Srikanth entered into the second round by beating Scott Evans in straight sets 21-18,21-15. In the first game, Srikanth started on a positive note and was equal at 6-6 before taking 4 consecutive points for the 10-6 lead. At the interval, Srikanth led 11-6. After the interval, Srikanth dominated the game and won the first set 21-18. In the second game, both players took 4 points each before Srikanth took a 7-4 lead, Evans equaled the scoring at 7-7. At the interval, Srikanth led 11-10. After the interval, Srikanth took 5 successive points for a 16-11 lead. Srikanth won the game and match 21-15.
On the other hand, HS Prannoy entered into the second round in straight sets 23-21,22-20 over Wong. In the first game, Wong took an early 4-1 lead and then 6-3 lead. Wong took 4 more points for the 10-3 lead. Prannoy clawed the way into the match and equaled the score at 17-17. He then equaled the score 21-21 and Prannoy took the first game 23-21. In the second game, Wong took a commanding 9-2 lead but Prannoy once again started to make a comeback into the match. Prannoy made an excellent comeback and won the second set 22-20.
In the women’s doubles, Ashwini Ponappa and Jwala Gutta lost to Chinese pair in grueling three sets 20-22, 21-18, 13-21. In the first game, both pairs fought it and were a close battle. At the interval, the Chinese pair led 11-10. After the interval, the fight continued and went to 20-20 before the Chinese pair took the first game 22-20. In the second game, the Chinese pair got off to a good start but the Indian pair came back strongly. At the interval, the Chinese pair led 11-10. Jwala Gutta and Ponappa were trailing 15-18 but came well to level the score at 18-18 before taking the second game 21-18. In the deciding game, the Chinese pair came strongly and took a 7-1 lead putting serious pressure on the Indian pair. The Chinese pair led 11-4. After the interval, the Chinese pair took control and won the third set 21-13.