New Delhi: Women’s singles No. 1 seed PV Sindhu of India got off to a strong start on Wednesday when she eased past Natalia Koch Rohde of Denmark to advance to the India Open second round.
Sindhu who was bidding to defend her title, told Indian media that she will play her best prior to the start of the tournament.
“Although I won last year, but it’s a different year and I am trying to play my best,” said Sindhu.
Sindhu is set to take on Linda Zetchiri of Bulgaria in the second round and her real challenge will come in the form of former world champion Ratchnok Intanon in the semifinals.
Women’s singles No. 2 seed the Rio Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain also overcame qualifier Mattana Hemrachatanun of Thailand 21-15, 21-11 in 25 minutes. Marin will meet Gao Fangjie of China next.
In women’s doubles, Denmark’s No. 1 seeds and Olympic silver medalists Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen outlasted Indian pair of Haritha Manazhiyil Harinarayanan/Mukherjee Riya 21-11, 21-7 in 23 minutes.
Juhl/Pedersen will face Chinese qualifiers Cao Tong Wei/Yu Zheng on Thursday.
