Preview: Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu will be the cynosure of all eyes when the seventh India Super Series badminton tournament gets underway after the qualifiers on Wednesday. London bronze-medallist Saina will be one of the favourites at the Indian Super Series, an event she won two years ago to achieve the world No 1 ranking. [caption id=“attachment_3167438” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of PV Sindhu. AP[/caption] “Delhi has always been special to me. I won the Commonwealth Games gold here and then won the Indian Open in 2015 and became the world No.1. So everything has been special for me. It is great to play in front of home crowd,” said the current world No 8, who has been on a comeback trail after recovering from a knee injury. “The competition has become tougher. But I have been playing well, even at All England, the match that I lost was 50-50. So all I can say is I will give my best and hope to do well,” she added. Rio Olympics silver-medallist Sindhu, who has been in rampaging form ever since her Olympic high, will also look to continue her good run at the Sri Fort Sports complex. “I am looking forward to the event. It will be an exciting week, the competition is tough and I will give my best,” the world No 5 said. Saina and Sindhu had crashed out of the All England Championship after losing in the quarter-finals and the duo would be eyeing better results this week. They are likely to bump into each other in the quarter-finals on Friday if they manage to topple their opponents in the first two rounds. Sindhu will open her campaign against a qualifier after her opponent – Singapore’s Xiaoyu Liang – withdrew, while Saina will take on Chinese Taipei’s Chia Hsin Lee in the opening round. Sindhu, seeded third, is likely to face Japan’s Saena Kawakami in the second round, while Saina will probably take on Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong, an opponent she had beaten in the finals of the Malaysia Masters in January. The two have met just once in an international competition – at the 2014 Syed Modi International – where Saina had won in straight games. Saina and Sindhu were on collision course for a place in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open last year before the senior pro suffered a loss. They had played against each other in the Premier Badminton League with Sindhu having an upper-hand this year. With inputs from PTI
Highlights India Open 2017, badminton scores and updates: PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth enter 2nd round
Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu will be in action in the first round of the India Open 2017 on Wednesday. Follow our live blog for regular scores and updates.
 "Highlights India Open 2017, badminton scores and updates: PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth enter 2nd round")
First hurdle cleared for @srikidambi in front of a cheering crowd! Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS#IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/OQ8sFqJEoS
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) March 29, 2017
Matches to watch out for in the second round:
Women’s singles
Pornpawee Chochuwong vs Saina Nehwal
Zhang Yiman vs Ratchanok Intanon
Saena Kawakami vs PV Sindhu
Carolina Marin vs Rituparna Das
Men’s singles:
Chou Tien Chen vs B Sai Praneeth
Sameer Verma vs Hu Yun
Kidambi Srikanth vs Viktor Axelsen
Sourabh Verma vs NG Ka Long Angus
Women’s doubles:
Puttita Supajirakul, Sapsiree Taerattanachai vs Ashwini Ponnappa, Sikki Reddy
Mixed doubles:
Evgenij Dremin, Evgenia Dimova vs Pranaav Jerry Chopra, Sikki Reddy
Yang Lee Hsu Ya Ching vs Chris Adcock, Gabrielle Adcock
And a few from PV Sindhu’s clash
.@Pvsindhu1 cruises into the second round of Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS. Snaps from her match! #IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/dwv68Uoceu
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Some of the moments from Saina Nehwal’s win in the first round!
Some moments from @NSaina's match. Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS. #IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/IXZIjqc1uG
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Kidambi Srikanth wins in straight games; enters second round: 21-19, 21-16
We saw a different Kidambi today as he mastered the court with exuberance against Junpeng who relied mostly on his defence to bag points. With that win, Kidambi now faces third seed Viktor Axelsen in the pre-quarters of the India Open.
.@srikidambi coming into the groove in the second game. Looks top-notch! #IndiaSS #IndiaMeSmash
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) March 29, 2017
Kidambi has started the second game confidently as he leads 7-2 and looks pumped up to finish this tie early.
Massive boost for the former World no.3!
.@srikidambi claims the opening game 21-19 against Zhao Junpeng. Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS#IndiaMeSmash
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Srikanth Kidambi vs Zhao Junpeng
17-17! It is even stevens in the first game as both the shuttlers have displayed a great overall gameplay. The movement of Kidambi has been the highlight so far.
Zhao Junpeng ahead 13-11 against Kidambi. #IndiaSS #IndiaMeSmash
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Carolina Marin and Sung Ji Hyun enter second round
Spanish ace Marin floored Kim Hyo 21-17, 21-10 whereas the second seed Sung Ji thrashed Krishna Priya 21-11, 21-13 in the first round of the women’s singles event. Marin approached the game in a more attacking manner where she dominated the baseline of the court and as for Sung Ji, she had a balanced game.
Carolina Marin and Sung Ji Hyun enter second round
Spanish ace Marin floored Kim Hyo 21-17, 21-10 whereas the second seed Sung Ji thrashed Krishna Priya 21-11, 21-13 in the first round of the women’s singles event. Marin approached the game in a more attacking manner where she dominated the baseline of the court and Sung Ji, on the other hand had a balanced game.
Carolina Marin vs Kim Hyo Min
Top seed Marin has taken the game on her own, leading by 16-5 in the second game. Reminder: Marin won the first game 21-17
Sri Krishna Priya vs Sung Ji Hyun
After winning the first game 21-11, second seed Sung Ji Hyun leads 12-9 in the second. Krishna Priya needs to attack more and try to hit towards the tramline to create problems for the Korean ace
Sung Ji Hyun dominates the first game. Wins it 21-11 against Sri Krishna Priya. #IndiaMeSmash #IndiaSS
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) March 29, 2017
Ajay Jayaram knocked out by Viktor Axelsen: 21-23, 17-21
Not a good day for Jayaram as he squanders his lead in the both the games and loses the tie. Axelsen’s hand-eye combination and net plays did the damage as he restricting Jayaram from hitting jump smashes and crosscourt shots.
An intense battle happening on Court 1. Ajay Jayaram giving it his all against Viktor Axelsen. Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS#IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/y9Zee3ozRL
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Ajay Jayaram vs Viktor Axelsen
Jayaram 11-11 Axelsen! Everytime Jayaram gets in control, he fails to maintain the momentum and Axelsen is not the one to have mercy on his opponents.
Carolina Marin vs Kim Hyo Min
In-form Marin has started off well and took no time to settle. Don’t miss out on this one!
Impressive victory for @pranaav6 and @sikkireddy! Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS#IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/KnbVahAJuj
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Sourabh Verma sails into second round: 21-13, 21-16
Sourabh played some fascinating forehand strokes to unsettle HS Prannoy’s movement and win the tie in straight games. Notably, his net-flicks were also accurate as Prannoy was left out of position in the second game.
Jayaram is giving a tough challenge to Axelsen as he leads 11-9 at the break of the first game. Interestingly, Jayaram also leads 2-1 in the head-to-head meetings against the Danish ace
Viktor Axelsen faces stiff challenge from Ajay Jayaram, trails 11-9 #IndiaSS #IndiaMeSmash
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Pranaav Jerry Chopra Sikki Reddy defeat Hafiz Faizal, Shela Devi: 21-15, 21-19
Pranaav and Sikki have clinched the second round spot after an emphatic win in the first round of the mixed doubles event. The duo showed glimpses of their on-court awareness and shot selection which was too much for their opponents.
ONE CRACKER OF A GAME!
Epic battle has already begun! #IndiaSS #IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/5Y2VgFh7a8
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) March 29, 2017
Mixed doubles: Pranaav Jerry Chopra, Sikki Reddy vs Hafiz Faizal, Shela Devi
Pranaav and Sikki claim the first game 21-15 and look set to clinch the second. The duo didn’t have a good All England campaign but a win in India Open would be career-defining
Sourabh Verma wins first game; Ajay Jayaram, Viktor Axelsen face off
In the men’s singles event, Sourabh Verma claims the first game 21-13 against HS Prannoy whereas Ajay Jayaram faces third seed Viktor Axelsen in the first round.
PV Sindhu beats Arundhati Pantawane; seals second round spot: 21-17, 21-6
After a shaky start in the first game, PV Sindhu upped the ante to get the better of compatriot Pantawane in straight games and enter the second round. As mentioned earlier, Sindhu relied on her quick feet and drop shots to break Pantawane’s confidence. She looks ready for the challenge at this Superseries event
PV Sindhu vs Arundhati Pantawane
It’s 18-6 to Sindhu as she is just three points away from booking her place in the second round of India Open. Yet again, her unmatchable work rate has done the trick and has not allowed Pantawane to come back in the match
UNPLAYABLE!
A fierce @Pvsindhu1 smash to finish things in the opening game! Yonex Sunrise #IndiaSS #IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/CDkIzLMCfL
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
PV Sindhu vs Arundhati Pantawane
PV Sindhu is running away with the lead in the second game with her quick movements near the net and superb court coverage. Pantawane is finding it difficult to lob the shuttle from the forecourt.
Arundhati Pantawane is giving P.V. Sindhu run for its money, its 11-12 in the opening game. #IndiaSS #IndiaMeSmash
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
#IndiaSS: @Pvsindhu1 leads 11-10 at the break of the first game against Pantawanehttps://t.co/mde7YOKkqZ
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 29, 2017
PV Sindhu vs Arundhati Pantawane
Two Indian shuttlers square off in the first round of the women’s singles event. Both Sindhu and Pantawane meet for the first time in a competitive match. All eyes will be on Sindhu as the third seed is yet to put her hands on the India Open
Saina Nehwal eases past Lee Chia Hsin: 21-10, 21-17
A fantastic overall performance by the Indian ace as she trounces Lee to cement her place in the second round. She looked confident throughout the match and her forecourt play was on point which more or less made the difference. Lee was bothered most of the times by Saina’s low crosscourt punches as it made her stretch too much. For Saina, this win will boost her confidence and we may have a chance to witness the Saina-Sindhu showdown!
Saina Nehwal vs Lee Chia Hsin
Outstanding footwork by Saina Nehwal as she successfully blocks Lee Chia’s drives. She leads 17-12 now
Here comes the second game! #IndiaSS. #IndiaMeSmash pic.twitter.com/KPDbgdbvGx
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) March 29, 2017
Saina Nehwal vs Lee Chia Hsin
7-7! The second game looks even more competitive as both the shuttlers have started attacking freely, however, Saina tends to cover the baseline which can be useful for her to take control of her shots
Saina Nehwal gets the first game: 21-10
Two-time India Open winner Saina Nehwal eases past Lee Chia Hsin with a barrage of jump smashes and quick net-plays which proved too much for her opponent. It looks like Saina is on her way to full fitness and it won’t take long for her to start delivering her best show anytime soon
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