Kashyap stumbles at Japan Open
Tokyo, September 19
Parupalli Kashyap failed to qualify for the Japan Open Super Series, starting on Wednesday, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy advanced to the main draw in both the men’s and mixed doubles categories, partnering Chirag Shetty and Ashwini Ponappa, respectively, on Tuesday.
Kashyap first got past Denmark’s Emil Holst 21-15 21-14 but lost to Japanese Yu Igarashi 11-21 21-18 14-21 in an hour and five minutes in the second qualifying match.
Rankireddy and Ponappa defeated Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito 21-13 21-15 before thrashing another home pair of Hiroki Okamura and Naru Shinoya 21-18 21-9.
In the men’s doubles qualifying matches, Rankireddy partnered Shetty as the teenaged pair defeated Japan’s Hirokatsu Hashimoto and Hiroyuki Saeki 14-21 22-20 21-18 before edging past Keiichiro Matsui and Yoshinori Takeuchi 21-18 21-12.
The mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy moved into the second round as they defeated Japanese Tomoya Takashina and Rie Etoh 21-19 17-21 21-15.
Sindhu, Saina ready for action
PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will begin their campaign against Japanese Minatsu Mitani and Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong on Wednesday. Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, B Sai Praneeth and Sameer Verma will also be in action on Wednesday. — IANS
