India’s Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, Rounak Chouhan and Kidambi Srikanth progressed to the second round of the BWF US Open after securing straight-game victories on Thursday.
World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi defeated Germany’s Yvonne Li 23-21, 21-16, while Thailand Masters champion Devika overcame Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo 21-14, 21-14 in the women’s singles draw.
In an all-Indian men’s singles contest, Rounak beat former world junior silver medallist S. Sankar Muthusamy 23-21, 21-16. Fifth seed Srikanth followed with a commanding 21-14, 21-12 victory over compatriot D. Saneeth in 30 minutes.
Rakshitha Sree also moved into the next round after defeating Czech Republic’s Tereza Svabikova 21-15, 21-8. In mixed doubles, seventh-seeded pair Dhruv Rawat and K. Maneesha beat Indonesia’s Wirawan Ihsan Adam and Serena Kani 21-15, 21-16.
On the opening day, women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced after overcoming Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez. The Indian duo returned to competition at the Indonesia Open earlier this month following Treesa’s three-month injury layoff.
India has no representatives in the men’s doubles draw, with Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty sidelined as Satwik continues his recovery from an injury sustained at the Indonesia Open.
Defending men’s singles champion Ayush Shetty is not competing this year, while former US Open winner HS Prannoy has also skipped the tournament.
[IANS]
