Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth open with wins

P.V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth opened their campaign at the World Badminton Championship with contrasting victories in the women’s and men’s singles competition respectively, here on Tuesday.

Eleventh seed had to dig deep into her reservoir of talent to outwit Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt 11-21, 21-17, 21-16 in a 50-minute match.

The world no. 13 Indian had spent most of the time this season nursing an injury and had been struggling for form. Sindhu, who got a bye in the first round, will next take on Olympic champion and former world no.1 Li Xuerui of China in the pre-quarter-finals.

World no. 3, Srikanth, however, didn’t need to break sweat as he brushed aside Australia’s Michael Fariman 21-10, 21-13 in a lop-sided 24-minute match. He will face Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Jen Hao next in the second round.

Lee chases maiden crown Lee Chong Wei blasted his way into the second round, bringing him a step closer to a possible clash with nemesis Lin Dan.

The former world number one swept aside Lithuania’s Kestutis Navickas 21-9, 21-13.

Lin began his campaign for a sixth badminton world crown on Tuesday with a 21-8, 21-11 victory over American Sattawat Pongnairat.