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Assam Rifles Conducts Friendly Volleyball Match

Assam Rifles Conducts Friendly Volleyball Match

IT News
Imphal May 11,

Tulihal Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the ae begis of IGAR (South) conducted a friendly Volleyball match at Nambol Company Operating Base (COB) on Yesterday
With an aim to further strengthen the bond and mutual trust between locals and Security Forces, the volleyball match was played between the teams of Kamong Youth Club and troops of Nambol COB. Both the teams played with great zeal and enthusiasm and displayed great sportsmanship during the course of the match. The match was followed by tea and refreshments for all.
The players and the locals appreciated the efforts of Assam Rifles for organising the sports event and recurrently taking such initiatives for maintaining healthy environment. They also requested to conduct more such events for promoting sports in future as well.

Indian para-athletes win 1 silver & 2 bronze at Asian Road Para-Cycling Championships 2019

Indian para-athletes win 1 silver & 2 bronze at Asian Road Para-Cycling Championships 2019

By- Udita Dutta
New Delhi, April 29,

 Indian para-athletes put up a brilliant performance to secure 1 silver and 2 bronze at the Asian Road Para-Cycling Championships 2019 that saw 28 countries vying for the podium at Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 23-28 April. Divij Shah continued his remarkable record at this prestigious tournament by clinching his third consecutive silver medal in the C5 category.
“Feels great to have retained the silver position for the third time. A lot of hard work needs to go in to cover up the gap to get the gold. I have received tremendous support from Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) to make it to the top,” said an elated Shah on his achievement.
Asian Para Games bronze medallist Gurlal Singh, who is the only Indian cyclist (able-bodied or otherwise) to win a medal at the Asian Games level helped swell India’s medal tally further by grabbing the bronze in the C4 section. Hand cyclist Sudhakar Marathe from Maharashtra made a debut to remember when he got hold of the bronze medal in H5 category.

Marathe, who suffered a train accident in June 2017, had been training for only six months before he got an opportunity to don the Indian jersey.
The 9-member Indian para-athlete squad included 4 border security force para-athletes: Para-cyclists Harinder Singh (Punjab), Gurlal Singh (Punjab), Kaigoulal, and Hand-cyclist Sudhakar Marathe (Maharashtra), and 1 central reserve police force para-cyclist, Birbhadra Singh. Along with the soldiers, 3 civilians — Prashant Arkal (Maharashtra), Divij Shah (Andhra Pradesh) and Arshad Shaikh (Andhra Pradesh) was also a part of the team.
In the past two years, the Indian contingent won a silver and a bronze medal in each edition through Divij Shah and Harinder Singh respectively.
The entire team had undergone rigorous training at the Aditya Mehta Foundation Academy in Hyderabad under the guidance of coach K Dathatraye and physiotherapist Ms Asha Shaikh.
Aditya Mehta, who himself was a para-cyclist and is the founder of Aditya Mehta Foundation had worked closely with the team, trained and travelled for the Championships congratulated the athletes for their medal-winning efforts. “The athletes showed tremendous grit and determination. The medals are a reward for that. It is still a long way to go and lot of hard work has to go in but am proud of the way the boys responded to the competition with the resources available. I am confident they will achieve their dreams and win Gold for India at the highest platforms soon,” said Mehta.
The Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) has been working tirelessly under the auspices of Cycling Federation of India (CFI) to help improve para-sports in India.

Friendly Football Match

Friendly Football Match

IT News
Imphal, April 29,

Tulihal Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR(South) organised a friendly Football Match in Luker village of Imphal West District on April 28. The Football match was organised by Patsoi Company Operating Base (COB) and played between the troops of the COB and the YPA Club Luker. The match was aimed at fostering competitive spirit and sportsmanship amongst youth of the area. The match was played with full vigour and enthusiasm showcasing true team spirit by the teams.  Both the teams gave their best efforts on the field.  
The match was enjoyed by over 100 locals who had come to witness the match from Luker and neighbouring villages. At the end of the match, both the winning and the runner up teams were felicitated with tokens of appreciation.  The event concluded with tea and refreshments for all.
The players and the locals were delighted and expressed their gratitude to Assam Rifles for organising the sports event. They also requested to conduct more such events for promoting sports in future as well.

Pooja Rani stuns world champion; Amit wins gold as India finish campaign with 13 medals at Asian Championships 2019

Pooja Rani stuns world champion; Amit wins gold as India finish campaign with 13 medals at Asian Championships 2019

From a Correspondent
New Delhi, April 27,

 Former Asian Games bronze medallist Pooja Rani (81kg) stunned reigning world champion Wang Lina in the final while Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52kg) brought the second gold as the Indian contingent finished campaign with a best-ever haul of 2 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals at the Asian Boxing Championships 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday.
In her very first year of competing in the 81kg category after having fought in the 75kg, the national champion had to stave off a stiff resistance from the Chinese to secure a 4-1 victory in an enthralling contest.
This was the 28-year-old Bhiwani boxer’s third medal from the Asian Championships after a silver in 2012 and a bronze in 2015. This is also India’s first ever gold in the 81kg category from this elite tournament.
Korea’s Kim Inkyu was no match for the 23-year-old Amit Panghal who continued his Asian domination in his continental competitive debut in the 52kg category after moving up from 49kg.
With a sizzling display of power and precision, an aggressive Amit emerged a 5-0 winner to add to the gold medal he won at the start of the season at the Strandja Cup. This is Amit’s second medal from the Asian Championships following a bronze in 2017.
Panghal had earlier beaten the reigning Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov this week after having accounted for the Uzbek at the Asian Games 49kg final last year.
However, besides Amit and Pooja Rani, India had to settle for silver in the rest of the four finals. In 56kg, Kavinder Singh Bisht put up a spirited display and a lionhearted performance despite a cut over his right eye, which he had sustained in the semi-finals, opening up. The 2019 GeeBee Boxing tournament gold medallist gave his all before going down 0-5 to Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek Mirzahalilov.
Makran Cup champion Deepak (49kg) fought tooth and nail against Nodirjon Mirzakhmedov of Uzbekistan but the national champion had to accept a 2-3 defeat in a tough bout where the judges gave their verdict in favour of the Uzbek. The Indian started the bout with a fiery display but the resilient Uzbek came storming back. In the final round, Deepak attacked bravely but endured a heartbreak eventually.
In 75kg, Ashish Kumar too had to be content with the silver medal after going down 0-5 to Kazakhstan’s Tursynbay Kulakhmet.
Among the women, 2018 World Championships bronze medallist Simranjit Kaur (64kg) showed her grit and determination but came up short 1-4 against China’s Dan Dou, the same boxer she had lost to in the semi-finals of the world event at home last year.
This is the maiden Asian Championships medal for each of Bisht, Deepak, Ashish Kumar, and Simranjit.
Earlier on Thursday, India secured seven bronze medals. Shiva Thapa (60kg) added a record fourth consecutive medal to his kitty while former world champion Sarita Devi (60kg) won her eighth medal from this prestigious tournament.
Also winning the bronze was Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Manisha Moun (54kg), Sonia Chahal (57kg), Ashish (69kg), and Satish Kumar (+91kg).
India had the second best number of finalists at 2019 Asian Championships. With 6 pugilists on the final day, India trailed only China who had 7.
This was the very first time that the women’s competition was held simultaneously as the men at the Asian Championships.

Divya Kakran and Manju Kumari win bronze as women wrestlers begin campaign at Asian Wrestling Championships 2019

Divya Kakran and Manju Kumari win bronze as women wrestlers begin campaign at Asian Wrestling Championships 2019

From a correspondent
New Delhi, April 26,

Asian Games bronze medalist Divya Kakran and Manju Kumari grabbed a bronze medal each as India’s women wrestlers began their campaign at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Xi’an, China on Thursday. Kakran (68kg), also a bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games last year, lived up to the expectations as she delivered a bronze by pinning Battsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia to add to the silver she won at home in 2017.
Kakran failed to make it to the final after going down to Feng Zhou of China 4-14 in the last-four clash. In the quarter-finals, she was on fire on the mat as she prevailed over Hong Thuy Nguyen of Vietnam 10-0.
This is Kakran’s first competition since coming back from an ankle injury.
“This was my first international outing since the ankle injury. Though I would have liked to win the gold medal, I will take lessons from here and will keep on working hard for the upcoming tournaments,” said the 21-year-old grappler. In 59kg, Manju was too powerful for Vietnam’s Thi Huong Dao whom she convincingly beat 11-2 in the bronze medal play-off.
Manju had earlier tasted a 6-15 defeat at the hands of Battsetseg Altantsetseg of Mongolia 6-15 in the semi-finals and got a chance to play the bronze medal contest. In the quarter-finals, she had emerged a 5-3 winner over Kazakhstan’s Madina Bakbergenova 5-3.
“I am really happy to win a medal at my first Asian Championships. I hope I can carry on from here and keep on achieving my goals,” said Manju after her medal.
However, Seema succumbed to a 5-11 defeat to Kazakhstan’s Valentina Ivanovna Islamova Brik in the bronze medal play-off in 50kg and had to finish her campaign without a medal.
Having lost to eventual champion Yuki Irie of Japan in the qualifying round, she got a chance to fight in the repechage bout after Irie made the final. Seema made no mistake in outgrappling Meng Hsuan Hsieh of Chinese Taipei 10-2 to advance to the bronze medal contest.
In 55kg, Lalita failed to repeat her heroics from the 2015 Asian Championships when she had won the bronze. The 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist bowed out in the quarter-finals with a 1-4 loss to Mongolia’s Dulguun Bolormaa.

Indo Myanmar Friendship Volleyball Match played at Moreh

Indo Myanmar Friendship Volleyball Match played at Moreh

IT News
April 1,
A friendship Volleyball match with Myanmar Army was organised by Moreh Battalion of 26 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR(South) The aim of the friendly match was to instill and strengthen a spirit of healthy and friendly relations between Indian Army and Myanmar Army. The match was followed by a joint meeting in which issues related to security and border management were discussed.  Both sides agreed to continue the joint coordination achieved by means of regular interaction. The attendees expressed their satisfaction on the progress made in ensuring peace and tranquility along the porous Indo Myanmar Border.

Axelsen beats Srikanth to win second title; Intanon creates record at Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019 Polii-Rahayu and Yilyu-Dongping successfully defend titles

Axelsen beats Srikanth to win second title; Intanon creates record at Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019 Polii-Rahayu and Yilyu-Dongping successfully defend titles

From Correspondent
New Delhi, April 1,

Viktor Axelsen dashed Indian hopes with a 21-7, 22-20 win over Kidambi Srikanth at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019, a part of the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, here on Sunday. In a rematch of the 2015 final, the Dane saved a couple of game points in the second game to get his second title after his 2017 win.
In women’s singles, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon created history by becoming the first women’s singles shuttler to win the title three times when she beat the third seed He Bingjiao 21-15, 21-14. With this, she also emulated the legendary Lee Chong Wei’s record to become the second singles player to taste glory thrice at India’s premier badminton event, with her earlier victories coming in 2013 and 2016.
Ratchanok started slow against the seventh ranked Chinese, whom she had never beaten in four previous meetings. With Bingjiao cruising at 9-6, the Thai banked on her experience to turn the tables on her rival.
Using her speed and aggression, she drew level at 14-14 and then started targeting the corners to make life difficult for the Chinese. Bingjiao, who had accounted for PV Sindhu in the semi-finals, looked pretty subdued since then and struggled to keep up with the Thai’s pace and accuracy.
After taking the first game, the former world champion continued her momentum throughout the second game as unforced errors from Bingjiao’s racquet piled up. With Bingjiao hitting in haste, a calm and poised Intanon sailed through the second game to go up to 14-9 before closing out the match in 46 minutes. “I learnt from the past when I lost to her and also from her match against Sindhu yesterday,” said Intanon after the win. “People say I play really well here in India Open. Before I came to the main hall, I saw my record against her and it was 0-4 and I thought I need to break this record today.
“Today I tried to play calmly and point-by-point and I played well,” added the former World No. 1.
World No. 4 Viktor Axelsen, who reached the All England Open final this month, was too strong and too powerful for the home hope in the first game as Srikanth struggled to find his rhythm. The precision and firepower from Axelsen thoroughly overwhelmed the 2015 champion, allowing the Dane to build a huge 10-point advantage at 17-7 before pocketing the first game.
Amid vociferous cheers from the crowd, the Indian finally settled in in a very tight second game. By attacking from the front court and using his body smashes to perfection, the World No. 7 made the score equal at 12-12. With the two deadlocked in the second game, the Indian even carved out a couple of game points to go up to 20-18.
However, a dropshot from the Indian went wide after that and the second seeded Axelsen made no mistake in saving the other to get his first match point which he duly converted after 36 minutes of play.
“I think I gave him too many chances in the first set to attack and tried avoiding that in the second. I did fairly well at the 20th point, maybe if there would have been a decider, I would have had much better chances,” said Srikanth after the match.
In women’s doubles and mixed doubles, the top seeded pairs of Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu and Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping successfully defended their titles. While Polii-Rahayu emerged 21-11, 25-23 winners over third seeds Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean, Yilyu and Dongping prevailed over fifth seeds Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti 21-13, 21-11.
In men’s doubles, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin triumphed over Ricky Karandasuwardi and Angga Pratama 21-14, 21-14 for their first title at this marquee event.

Kidambi Srikanth digs deep to enter the second final at Yonex-Sunrise India Open Ratchanok Intanon one win away from the third title

Kidambi Srikanth digs deep to enter the second final at Yonex-Sunrise India Open Ratchanok Intanon one win away from the third title

From a Correspondent
New Delhi, March 31,
 Kidambi Srikanth remained on course for a second title by entering the final of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019, a BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, here on Saturday. The 2015 champion was made to work hard by the 30th ranked Huang Yuxiang before he could pull off a gritty 16-21, 21-14, 21-19 win in 1 hour 4 minutes.
This is Srikanth’s first final on the BWF circuit since the French Open in October of 2017.
The former winner was troubled early on by Yuxiang’s speed, quick change of direction and superior net play, despite having a 3-1 edge in their head-to-head record. From 14-14, the Chinese went up to 19-14 due to unforced errors from the home hope. Srikanth did save a couple of game points but his effort fell short as Yuxiang wrapped up the opener 21-16.
Amid deafening cheers from the crowd, the World No. 7 started showing flashes of his aggression in the early part of the second game and built a 7-4 lead. By regularly finding the lines, the India No. 1 held on to go up to 13-6 and kept up the same approach to close out the second game 21-14.
Srikanth broke away from a deadlock in the third game to inch ahead to 11-10 but errors at the net proved costly as Yuxiang grabbed 3 points on the trot to go up to 13-11.
The former World No. 1 then found his firepower from a 14-17 deficit to draw level at 18-18 and then a beautiful touch at the net helped him finish the win.
“I gave too many easy points after that 11-point break in the third set. In the end, I was just thinking I was playing safe and working hard for every point,” said Srikanth after the victory. “Even yesterday, I lost the first set. I have not been able to pull out the first sets but really happy I was able to pull out third sets,” added the top-ranked Indian.
Intanon back in the final after 3 years
Thailand’s former world champion Ratchanok Intanon survived a tough duel with the seventh seed Han Yue, eking out a 21-15, 19-21, 21-18 win in 1 hour 6 minutes. For the highly popular Thai, this is her fourth final at this prestigious tournament after earlier wins in 2013 and 2016. Her only loss came in 2015 against Saina Nehwal.
The women’s doubles section witnessed a mini-upset as the third seeds Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean beat the second seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai 18-21, 21-19, 21-19. They will take on the top seeds Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu who needed three games to see off compatriots Della Destiara Haris and Tania Oktaviani Kusumah 21-9, 19-21, 21-5. In mixed doubles, the top seeds Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping set up a summit clash with fifth seeds Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti. The Chinese, winners of the BWF World Tour Finals title last year, beat fourth seeds Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja 21-13, 21-16 while the Indonesians prevailed over Lee Yang and Yang Ching Tun 21-9, 23-21. 

 

Key Results:
Men’s Singles
KIDAMBI Srikanth (IND) (3) bt HUANG Yuxiang (CHN) 16-21, 21-14, 21-19
Women’s Singles
INTANON Ratchanok (THA) (4) bt HAN Yue (CHN) (7) 21-15, 19-21, 21-18
Women’s Doubles
CHOW/LEE (MAS) (3) bt KITITHARAKUL/PRAJONGJAI (THA) (2) 18-21, 21-19, 21-19
POLII/RAHAYU (INA) (1) bt HARIS/KUSUMAH (INA) 21-9, 19-21, 21-5
Mixed Doubles
WANG/HUANG (CHN) (1) bt FAIZAL/WIDJAJA (INA) (4) 21-13, 21-16
JORDAN/OKTAVIANTI (INA) (5) bt LEE/YANG (TPE) 21-9, 23-21

Sai Praneeth edges Sameer in all-Indian thriller; Kashyap cruises at Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019

Sai Praneeth edges Sameer in all-Indian thriller; Kashyap cruises at Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019

From Correspondent
New Delhi, March 29,

 In an enthralling all-Indian second round face-off, Sai Praneeth edged fifth seed Sameer Verma to enter the quarter-finals of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019, an HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, here on Thursday. The marathon 18-21, 21-16, 21-15 win that took Sai 1 hour 11 minutes to complete, had the World No. 20 lying on the court in relief after converting the match point.
This was Sai’s second consecutive victory over the World No. 15, just a week after getting the better of him at the Swiss Open, where he made it to the final.
Having beaten his practice partner, Sai pointed out on how tough it can get facing a familiar opponent. “When you play an opponent who you play with, it is obviously tough. We know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, so with nobody outside the court to tell you something about strategies, you have to think on your own.”
Sai could have to face another Indian in the last-eight, provided third seed Kidambi Srikanth beats Lu Guangzu.
Parupalli Kashyap made short work of World No. 58 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 21-11, 21-13 in just 37 minutes to secure his quarter-final berth. The former Commonwealth Games gold medallist ran away to 14-8 in the first game and continued the momentum in the second game to build an 11-3 lead.
A day after playing a three-game match, the 32-year-old Kashyap was happy to finish his second round quickly. “I’m happy I could pull out two good matches. Yesterday was tougher physically, but game-wise I think I was better today and I’m looking forward to the next round,” said the former World No. 6.
Subhankar Dey failed to repeat his first round heroics and succumbed to a 16-21, 13-21 defeat to World No. 32 Wang Tzu Wei.
Rising star Riya Mookerjee’s brave run, however, came to an end at the hands of eighth seed Mia Blichfeldt 8-21, 21-17, 13-21.
World No. 67 women’s doubles pair of Aparna Balan and Sruthi KP dug deep to edge the 40th ranked Ng Wing Yung and Yeung Nga Ting 21-19, 7-21, 21-17. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Shivam Sharma too reached the last-eight stage, courtesy of a 21-15, 21-11 win over Aniruddha Mayekar and Vinay Kumar Singh.
In mixed doubles, Chopra and Sikki Reddy put up a courageous display before losing 21-19, 19-21, 14-21 to the fourth seeds Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
Axelsen cruises; Bingjiao beats Xuerui
There was no stopping the 2017 champion Viktor Axelsen, who needed just 32 minutes to register a commanding 21-11, 21-9 win over Thailand’s Suppanyu Avihingsanon. In a battle of generations, Chinese third seed He Bingjiao beat 2012 Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui 21-18, 21-17 for her second consecutive victory over her senior compatriot.
Defending champion Beiwen Zhang beat Brittney Tam 21-6, 21-16 for her seventh win on the trot at this prestigious tournament while seventh seed Han Yue was a 21-13, 21-8 winner over Chananchida Jucharoen.
Men’s doubles top seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen effortlessly beat Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin 21-14, 21-7. In mixed doubles, BWF World Tour Finals champions Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping halted the run of Ricky Karandasuwardi and Pia Zebadiah Bernadet 21-8, 21-11.
Key results Men’s Singles
Khosit Phetpradab (THA) (7) bt Sitthikom Thammasin (THA) 21-19, 12-21, 21-18
Sai Praneeth (IND) bt Sameer Verma (IND) (5) 18-21, 21-16, 21-15
Parupalli Kashyap (IND) bt Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (THA) 21-11, 21-13
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) (2) bt Suppanyu Avihingsanon (THA) 21-11, 21-9
Wang Tzu Wei (TPE) bt Subhankar Dey (IND) 21-16, 21-13
Women’s Singles
Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) (8) bt Riya Mookerjee (IND) 21-8, 17-21, 21-13
Beiwen Zhang (USA) (6) bt Brittney Tam (CAN) 21-6, 21-16
Men’s Doubles
Astrup/Rasmussen (DEN) (1) bt Fei/Izzuddin (MAS) 21-14, 21-7
Women’s Doubles
Hoo/Yap (MAS) (4) bt Dandu/Santosh (IND) 21-11, 21-15
Balan/Sruthi (IND) bt Yeung/Wing NG (HKG) 21-19, 7-21, 21-17
Mixed Doubles
Wang/Huang (CHN) (1) bt Karandasuwardi/Bernadet (INA) 21-8, 21-11
Faizal/Widjaja (INA) (4) bt Chopra/Reddy (IND) 19-21, 21-19, 21-14

HS Prannoy, Riya Mookerjee cause upsets at Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019

From a correspondent
New Delhi, March 28,

HS Prannoy announced his return to form with a gritty 14-21, 21-18, 21-14 win over the eighth seed and World No. 17 Kantaphon Wangcharoen in 68 minutes to enter the second round of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2019, an HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, here on Wednesday. This was Prannoy’s third consecutive three-game duel with the 2018 BWF World Tour Finals qualifier and was a proof that the former national champion is very much on his way back after his recent health troubles.
The Keralite had been suffering from gastro-oesophagal reflux disease in the last few months, which he is currently recovering from.
“I have been consulting doctors in the United States,” said Prannoy after the match. “I can say it has helped me stand in the court right now. Probably 80% of the things have fallen in place. There are areas I have to focus on like the diet plan that has been given to me. I should be much better comparatively in the next 4-5 months,” he hoped.
World No. 15 Sameer Verma overcame an early resistance from the 29th ranked Rasmus Gemke of Denmark before recording a 21-18, 21-12 win. The fifth seed trailed 16-18 from where he rediscovered his rhythm and ran away with the match in 49 minutes.
Verma stressed on the change of pace that helped him win the match. “In terms of change in my strategy, I brought about a change of pace and changed my strokes too,” explained Sameer.
Swiss Open runner-up Sai Praneeth stormed back from a game down to edge Kartikey Gulshan Kumar 22-24, 21-13, 21-8 in 59 minutes. However, former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist RMV Gurusaidutt succumbed to an 18-21, 11-21 defeat to Thailand’s World No. 36 Sitthikom Thammasin. Kartik Jindal’s brave run came to an end at the hands of the seventh seed Khosit Phetpradab 17-21, 8-21.
Riya Mookerjee impresses
World No. 92 Riya Mookerjee recorded her first win over Phittayaporn Chaiwan in three meetings. Continuing her good form from last week’s Swiss Open, where she had made it to the quarters, the 20-year-old accounted for the 86th ranked Thai 21-17, 21-15 in a mini-upset.
Having learned from her previous experience of playing Chaiwan, the youngster was ready this time for the Thai’s drop shots.
Intanon eyeing the third crown
Former champions Ratchanok Intanon and Li Xuerui made a good start to their respective campaigns. The fourth-seeded Intanon, who is eyeing a third title at this prestigious event, comfortably beat India’s Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka 21-9, 21-6. London Olympic gold medallist Xuerui, the winner of this tournament in 2012, overcame a tough opponent in Nitchaon Jindapol with a 21-17, 21-11 scoreline.
Third seed He Bingjiao needed 30 minutes to dismiss India’s Prashi Joshi 21-12, 21-15 and was joined by her compatriot Chen Xiaoxin following her 21-15, 21-11 victory over Yulia Yosephin Susanto.
In doubles, sixth seeds Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy blew away younger countrymen Ravi and Lakshay Saroha 21-14, 21-7. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Shivam Sharma, who qualified for the main draw, made short work of Senthil Vel Govindarasu and Vembarasan Venkatachalam 21-13, 21-13. In women’s doubles, the pairs of Pooja Dandu-Sanjana Santosh and Venkata Ramya Tulasi Bailupudi-Shivani Santosh Singh made it through Round 2.

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