Kuala Lumpur, Jan 16 (IANS)
Top Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu lost their respective women's singles second round matches at the $500,000 Malaysia Open Super Series Premier here Thursday.
Eighth seed Saina was upset by Chinese World No.25 Xue Yao in 56 minutes at the Putra Stadium. Yao won 16-21, 21-10, 21-19 in their first ever career meet.
After sharing the first two games, World No.8 Saina led in the initial part of the decider (10-8) but thereafter Yao not just clawed back but took a significant 18-14 lead.
The Olympic bronze medallist fought back to equalise at 19-all but Yao kept her nerves to win the two most important points to clinch the game and match, proceeding to the quarterfinals.
Sindhu, on the other hand, was ousted by South Korean sixth seed Yeon Ju Bae on Court 1. The World No.7 Korean won 21-16, 21-19 in 45 minutes to take a 2-0 lead in career meetings over the Hyderabadi.
Parupalli Kashyap and Kidambi Srikanth will play their respective men's singles second round matches later.
By:IANS