Report: Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal sailed into the women’s singles semi-final while men’s World No 2 Kidambi Srikanth also notched up a comfortable win in the 82nd Senior National Badminton Championship on Monday. In the women’s singles quarter-finals, London Games bronze medallist Saina thrashed Aakarshi Kashyap 21-17, 21-10. In another last-eight match, Rio Olympics silver medallist Sindhu proved too good for Shriyanshi Pardeshi, winning her match 21-11, 21-17. In the men’s singles competition, India’s top male shuttler Srikanth had it easy as he dispatched Shubham Prajapati 21-17, 23-21. The proceedings in the quarter-finals started with the mixed doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa taking on Shivam Sharma and Poorvisha S Ram. Satwik and Ponnappa, with their high speed and seamless coordination, managed to bag the first game 21-14 and the second 21-12. Maharashtra Badminton Association president Arun Lakhani said, “The country’s top shuttlers certainly proved their mettle today. Over 10,000 spectators, including 5,800 children turned up to watch their heroes live in action in the course of the day and they didn’t disappoint. “The skill on display was mesmerising. Each match was a riveting spectacle. But even as our legends shone, India’s up and coming badminton stars made their mark. All in all a great day on which badminton emerged as the biggest winner.” Main results of the day: Women’s singles: Saina Nehwal (PET) beat Aakarshi Kashyap (AAI) 21-17 21-10; PV Sindhu (AP) beat Shriyanshi Pardeshi (MP) 21-11 21-17 Men’s singles: Kidambi Srikanth (PET) beat Shubham Prajapati (MP) 21-17 23-21 Mixed doubles: Satwiksairaj and Ashwini Ponnappa (AP/PET) beat Shivam Sharma and Poorvisha S Ram (RBI) 21-14 21-12. With inputs from PTI
Highlights, National Badminton Championships, results: PV Sindhu to face Saina Nehwal in final; Kidambi Srikanth advances
Catch the live score and updates from semi-final action at the 82nd Senior National Badminton Championships
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Here’s tomorrow’s schedule:
Saina Nehwal vs PV Sindhu
HS Prannoy vs Kidambi Srikanth
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter final
A comprehensive win for the reigning national champions there. They outclassed Arjun MR and Shlok Ramchandran 21-15, 21-13 in 33 mins to set up a final clash with the experienced pair of Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri.
PV Sindhu beats Ruthvika Gadde: 17-21, 21-15, 21-11
A hard-fought victory for Sindhu, who had to come from a game down to beat the high-flying Gadde in a three-game thriller. With this win, she sets up a final clash with Saina Nehwal tomorrow. Gadde showed signs of her deceptive play but faltered right at the end. Credit goes to Sindhu for maintaining the pressure from the second game.
PV Sindhu wins second game: 21-15!
Sindhu struggled at first but managed to eke out a crucial win over a confident Ruthvika Gadde in the second game and force the match into a decider! Who will win this match to set up the summit clash with Saina Nehwal?
PV Sindhu vs Ruthvika Gadde
Olympic silver medallist and top seed Sindhu will square off against Gadde in the women’s singles semi-final clash. With Saina already making it to the final, it is Sindhu’s chance to set up an exciting clash with the former World No 1.
Srikanth enters final
The top-seeded shuttler edged past an impressive Lakshya Sen, who was last edition’s runner-up, in straight games to set up the summit clash with HS Prannoy. Srikanth was stretched at times but he managed to keep control of his attack and push Sen towards the backcourt. Despite the loss, it was a brave show by 16-year-old Sen.
Srikanth takes the first game: 21-16!
Despite a good start, Sen loses the opening game against an attacking Srikanth. The 16-year-old showed great courage to return the shuttle and defend but failed to hit the winners early.