It was a mixed day for Indian shuttler’s as PV Sindhu and Sameer Verma progressed into the semi-finals of the Hong Open Super Series tournament, while Saina Nehwal and Ajay Jayaram lost their respective quarter-final matches.
In the first match of the day, PV Sindhu took on Liang. In the first game, Liang began well and took a 3-1 lead in the early stages of the game. Despite trailing, Sindhu showed great fighting spirit to take a 9-8 lead. At the interval, Sindhu led 11-9 and the Rio silver medallist kept the momentum to win the first game 21-17.
Also Read: Hong Kong Open: PV Sindhu records eighth consecutive win to enter semi-finals
In the second game, the Indian player started on an aggressive note taking a 2-0 lead. After that, it was a neck and neck game as both players fought for each point. At the interval, Sindhu had a slender lead of 11-10 and then extended the lead to 17-13, but Liang showed fighting spirit and won the second game 23-21.
In the third and deciding game, Sindhu began well, taking a 4-1 lead before Liang levelled the score at 4-4. At the interval, Liang was leading 11-6 and continued to dominate with the score 14-7. Sindhu then showed her fight and equalled the score at 15-15. The Indian player took control of the tame and won the third set 21-18 progressing into the semi-finals.
Saina Nehwal took on Cheung and in the first game, Cheung dominated right from the start and never allowed the Indian to comeback. The Hong Kong player won the first set 21-8. In the second game, both players started to take alternate points till 4-4 but Cheung led 11-7. After the interval, the Indian played excellent badminton to win the second set 21-18.
In the third game, Nehwal had a great start, taking a 9-5 lead but Cheung levelled at 9-9. At the interval, Cheung led 11-10 and marched on to take an 18-13 lead. The Indian never gave up and closed the gap but eventually lost the third game 19-21.
In the men’s singles, Sameer Verma took on Chong W F and dominated the opponent right from the start and won the match in two straight games 21-17, 23-21 to progress into the semi-finals.
The other Indian in the quarter-finals, Ajay Jayaram, didn't have the best of games in his clash with Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long. Jayaram was never in the game and lost the game in two straight sets 15-21,14-21.
Results
PV Sindhu defeated Liang - 21-17, 21-23,21-18
Saina Nehwal lost to Cheung - 8-21,21-18,19-21
Sameer Verma defeated Chong W F - 21-17, 23-21
Ajay Jayaram lost to Ng Ka Long - 15-21,14-21
