PV Sindhu Movers To Round Of 16 Of Kumamoto Masters Japan, Lakshya Sen Bows Out

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu sailed into the pre-quarterfinals but Lakshya Sen made an opening-round exit from the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament on Wednesday.

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu sailed into the pre-quarterfinals but Lakshya Sen made an opening-round exit from the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament on Wednesday. World number 20 Sindhu brushed aside Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan, ranked 11, 21-12, 21-18 in 38 minutes in a one-sided first round match. She will take on Michelle Li of Canada in the next round. Sen squandered a one game advantage to go down 22-20 17-21 16-21 to Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in the men's singles round of 32 clash.

The Paris Olympics semifinalist held a slim lead in the decider before Hao took control. With the score reading 17-16, both shuttlers were fighting tooth and nail but Hao won the last five points in a row to emerge victorious.

Earlier, Sindhu began sluggishly, quickly falling behind 1-5, but the Indian shuttler, who has been grappling with poor form, regained her composure with a series of clever drop shots, making a strong comeback to take a narrow 11-10 lead at the break.

Having gained momentum, Sindhu extended her advantage as the eighth seeded Busanan committed back-to-back unforced errors.

Sindhu then took control, winning seven consecutive points to seal the first game with a cross-court half smash.