Xtra Time Web Desk : Two time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu on Thursday thrashed her opponent Ira Sharma in straight set to move into the Quarterfinals of the India Open along with another fellow Indian shuttler in HS Prannoy.
Former champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal on the other hand suffered a 17-21, 9-21 straight game loss to compatriot Malvika Bansod. Malvika, ranked 111th, took 34 minutes to see off the former world number 1.
Earlier, the top seed Sindhu had no problem dispatching fellow India Ira Sharma 21-10, 21-10. She will meet compatriot Ashmita Chaliha, who got the better of french shuttler Yaelle Hoyaux 21-17, 21-14, in the quarterfinal.
Prannoy received a walkover as his opponent Mithun Manjunath withdrew from the tournament after testing positive for COVID-19. He will now meet the winner of the second round clash between third seed Lakshay Sen and Felix Burstedt of Sweden.
The men’s top seed Kidambi Srikanth, doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa, Ritika Rahul Thkar, Treesa Jolly, Simran Aman Singh and Khushi Gupta are the other players who had to withdraw from the tournament due to the positive COVID-19 results, which led to several walkovers.