Denmark Open 2019: PV Sindhu, Sai Praneeth moves into the second round

The top Indian shuttlers, PV Sindhu and Sai Praneeth moved into the second round of the Super 750 Denmark Open played at Odense Sports Park, Odense on Tuesday. 

PV Sindhu defeated Maria Gregoria Tunjung in two straight sets by 22-20, 21-18. It was a struggle for the World Champion, who was trailing 13-16 and was forced to save set point at 19-20. Sindhu took three points in succession to win the first set 22-20. 

In the second set as well, Sindhu struggled to find her rhythm and was trailing 6-9. She continued to trail at 16-17, but the Indian took four points in succession to win the second set at 21-17 to move into the second round. The 24-year old will now face An Se Young of South Korea. 

In the men's fixtures, Sai Praneeth stunned former World Champion and legend Lin Dan in straight sets at 21-14, 21-17. It was a dominating display by the Indian who looked in great control right from word go.

In the first set, both players took alternate points till 8-8. Sai then took three points in succession to take a 11-8 lead. After the interval, the Indian continued to dominate and won the first set easily (21-14). 

In the second game, the Chinese superstar played much better and forced Sai to commit mistakes. Both players took alternate points till 9-9. 

At the interval, Sai had a 11-9 lead. After the interval, the former World Champion levelled the scoring but, the Indian played with aggression and won the second set easily at 21-17. He will most likely take on two times World Champion, Kento Momota in the 2nd round. 

Parupalli Kashyap was knocked out in the first round as he lost to Sitthikom Thammasin of Thailand in two straight sets 13-21, 12-21. Sourabh Verma also went down in three sets to Mark Calijouw of Netherlands. Sourabh won the first set in a closely fought match but the Thai player fought back strongly to win the next two sets at 11-21, 17-21 to knock out the Indian. 

In the men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Korean pair of Kim Gi Jung and Lee Dong Dae in two straight sets at 24-22, 21-11 to move into the next round. 

Both pairs started on an even keel at 4-4. The Korean pair played with aggression and took a 11-8 lead at the interval. After the interval, Chirag and Rankireddy fought back strongly to level the scoring. Both pairs had ample chances of winning the set, but the Indian pair held their nerves to win it 24-22. 

The second set was a dominating display by the Indian pair who never allowed the Korean pair back into the game. At the interval, RankiReddy and Chirag led 11-4. After the interval, it was one way traffic for the Indian pair who won the second set easily at 21-11. 

They will face the winner of Hang Cheng Kia and Zhou Hae Dong of China and Danish pair of Mathias Boe and Mads Conrad- Pedersen of Denmark. 

Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Sameer Verma and other Indians start their campaign tomorrow. 

Cover image courtesy: The Federal