Orleans Masters: Shuttlers Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth make winning starts

Saina Nehwal

London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal crushed Ireland's Rachael Darragh in straight games in the women's singles opening round to make a winning start to her campaign at the Orleans Masters here on Wednesday.

Easy win for Nehwal

The fourth seeded Indian, who is desperately seeking ranking points to make it to her fourth Olympics, took just 21 minutes to beat Rachael 21-9, 21-5 and set up a clash with France's Marie Batomene here.

Saina had pulled out of the opening round of All England Open Championships last week after suffering a thigh injury. Kidambi Srikanth, seeded No. 1, entered the third round with a 21-15, 21-10 win over compatriot Ajay Jayaram 21-15, 21-10 in 25 minutes.

Mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy beat Austria's Dominik Stipsits and Serena Au Yeong 21-7 21-18. The Indian duo will meet Denmark's Niclas Nohr and Amalie Magelund next.

Ira advances

Ira Sharma, who was promoted to the main draw from the women's singles qualification, saw off France's Leonice Huet 12-21, 21-14, 21-17 and will square off against Bulgaria's Mariya Mitsova.

On Tuesday, India's Kiran George had stunned Netherland's Mark Caljouw, who had reached the semi-finals of All England Championships last week, 13-21, 21-18, 22-20 in a thrilling opening round match. Mithun Manjunath beat France's Lucas Claerbout 21-14, 21-10 but Subhankar Dey lost 17-21, 13-21 to Denmark's Ditlev Jaeger Holm in the opener.

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