Glasgow: Indian medal contenders, P.V. Sindhu and P.C. Thulasi in women’s singles and R.M.V. Gurusaidutt, Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap notched up easy victories in the women’s and men’s singles events respectively to storm into the round of 16 of the badminton competition at the 20th Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.
World No. 11 Sindhu had a walk in the park against South Africa’s Sandra Le Grange whom she tamed 21-4 21-6 in just 17 minutes, while Delhi Games bronze medalist. Sindhu will take on 17-year-old Thilini Hendahewa of Srilanka next. In another women’s singles match, Thulasi made mincemeat of Ireland’s Sinead Chambers 21-10 21-2 in 24 minutes.
The London Olympics quarterfinalist, Parupalli Kashyap won 21-9, 21-5 against Barbadian Dakeil Thorpe in 19 minutes and will meet Australia’s Jeff Tho in last 16; In other men’s singles match, R.M.V. Gurusaidutt brushed aside Edwin Ekiring of Uganda 21-13 21-11 in 30 minutes while K. Srikanth overcame Welsh Daniel Font 21-8, 21-13 in 24 minutes.
Men’s doubles pair of Akshay Dewalkar and Pranaav Jerry also started with a victory; in another men’s doubles match, A. Dewalkar and P. Chopra beat Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Dullewa of Sri Lanka 21-10, 21-9 in 23 minutes.
Meanwhile, women’s doubles defending champions Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa entered the round of 16 after Kiribati’s Tinabora Tekeiaki and Teitiria Utimawa gave them a walkover.
