French Open: HS Prannoy, Sai Praneeth win in Paris for starters

Indian shuttlers HS Prannoy and B Sai Praneeth advanced to the men's singles second round with contrasting wins in the French Open Super Series here yesterday. Prannoy sent packing Korea's Lee Hyun Il 21-15, 21-17, while Praneeth made amends for his first round exit last week with a 21-13, 21-23, 21-19 win over Thailand's Khosit Phetpradab. Praneeth, however, will look to take some tips from Prannoy for his next match as he is likely to take on three-time Olympic silver medallist and current World No. 7 Lee Chong Wei.

India's HS Prannoy

Chopra-Reddy out
Mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy suffered a 15-21, 12-21 loss to fourth seeded Indonesians Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir. Up against an experienced opponent, Prannoy displayed his new found prowess as he tore through the opening game. In the second game, Prannoy lead 8-5 and even though Lee held a slender 11-10 lead at the break, the Indian jumped ahead to 13-11.

Saina through
Saina Nehwal staved off a spirited challenge from Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt to win 21-14, 11-21, 21-10. Fifth seeded Yamaguchi had ended Saina's good run at the Denmark Open last week.