(MENAFN- Gulf Times) PV Sindhu yesterday cruised to the second round of the 2019 China Open with a straight-game win over Chinese Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui. In a match that lasted 34 minutes, Sindhu beat Li Xuerui 21-18, 21-12 to reach the second round where she will face either Thailand's Pompawee Chonchuwong or Canada's Michelle Li.
Sindhu took a four-point lead first up before Li fought back to get the first game level at 9-9. After the interval, Sindhu took control of the game. Although Li managed to save four game points in the end, Sindhu took the game 21-18.
Li started the second game on the front foot. Sindhu was trailing 6-2 at one point but once the reigning world champion got into her groove, there was no looking back. Sindhu raced into the lead and ended up winning the second game by a comfortable margin of nine points.
Sindhu's fellow World Championship medallist Sai Praneeth also booked a place in the second round with a hard fought three game win over Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-19, 21-23, 21-14. He will next face China's Lu Ghuangzu.
Earlier, Saina Nehwal was knocked out after a defeat to Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan while mixed doubles pair N Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra lost to German pair of Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Hertrich.
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