BWF China Open 2019: PV Sindhu eases past Li Xuerui in straight games to enter Round of 16; Saina Nehwal crashes out

Changzhou (China): Reigning world champion PV Sindhu sailed into the pre-quarterfinals with a convincing win over former Olympic gold-medallist Li Xuerui but Saina Nehwal crashed out of the China Open Super 1000 tournament here on Wednesday.

India's top shuttler Sindhu beat Li Xuerui 21-18 21-12 in just 34 minutes of action.

Replicating her world championship form, the Olympic silver-medallist produced another strong performance to get the better of the currently 20th-ranked Chinese, who entered the match with a 3-3 record against the Indian.

However, Saina made an early exit after losing to Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the women's singles.

World Champion @Pvsindhu1 has embarked her #ChinaOpenSuper1000 journey with a stunning victory over 🇨🇳 #LIXueRui 2️⃣1️⃣ - 1️⃣8️⃣ 2️⃣1️⃣ - 1️⃣2️⃣
With this win 🇮🇳 beast leads 4 - 3 in Head to head count💪

Champion stuff! #IndiaontheRise pic.twitter.com/FoIZvtp540

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 18, 2019

The London Olympics bronze-medallist lost 10-21 17-21 at the hands of the World No.19 Ongbamrungphan in a match that lasted for 44 minutes at the Olympic Sports Center Xincheng Gymnasium.

It was the former world number one's second successive loss to the Thai player.

The 29-year-old Saina has struggled for form following her recovery from injuries.

The Indian started her season with a win at the Indonesia Open but has failed to reach another final on the BWF circuit so far.

In other matches of the day featuring Indian shuttlers, B Sai Praneeth defeated Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-19 21-23 21-14 to make the next round of the men's singles event.

The duo of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy lost to Germany's Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich 12-21 21-23.

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