China Open: Sindhu moves up; Saina crashes out

Changzhou (China): Reigning world champion P V 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 Xuerui 21-18, 21-12 in just 34 minutes.

Replicating her World Championships 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.

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

It was the former world No. 1'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 Indians, B Sai Praneeth defeated Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-19, 21-23, 21-14 in the men's singles.

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