Saina, Sindhu toppled in Malaysia Open 1st Round

Kuching: Indian star shuttlers P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal suffered setbacks in the opening round of the Malaysia Open Superseries Premier, while Ajay Jayaram moved into the men's singles second round here on Wednesday.

Sixth seed and 2016 Olympic silver medallist Sindhu was toppled by world No.13 Chen Yufei of China 21-18, 19-21, 17-21 in an hour and eight minutes.

Sindhu's veteran compatriot, Saina fell to in-form Japanese world No.4 Akane Yamaguchi, who won 19-21, 21-13, 21-15 in 56 minutes.

The men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy also crashed out of the competition. The Indian combine lost to Chinese Taipei's Liao Kuan Hao and Lu Chia Pin 21-18, 18-21, 17-21.

World No.19 Jayaram, however crossed the first-round barrier, brushing aside Chinese Qiao Bin 21-11, 21-8 in 31 minutes.

Later in the day, B. Sai Praneeth and the mixed doubles pair of Sumeeth and N. Sikki Reddy will be in action.