Indonesia Masters 2019: Saina Nehwal moves into second round 

The first day of the Indonesia Masters 2019 saw Saina Nehwal and men’s doubles pair of Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri moving into the 2nd round of Super Level 500 level tournament played at Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta on Wednesday.

Saina Nehwal survived a scare before defeating qualifier D Ayustine of Indonesia in three gruelling sets. The Indonesian outplayed the Indian in the first set winning it 21-7 easily. Saina Nehwal came back strongly in the next two games to win 21-16, 21-11 to move into the 2nd round. She will take on Fitrani of Indonesia in the 2nd round.

In men’s singles, Sai Praneeth lost to Chen Long 12-21, 16-21 to be knocked out of the tournament. Sai was showing encouraging signs after struggling last year.

The youngster Subhankar Dey went down fighting to the experienced Denmark player Viktor Axelsen in three gruelling sets. Victor won the first set 21-14 before Dey came back strongly to win the second set 21-19 to force a decider. In the deciding set, Victor showed his experience and made sure that he won the third set 21-15.

The only highlight for Indian shuttlers in doubles was the pair of Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy winning their first round match against Kolding and Nohr of Denmark in three sets. The Denmark pair played aggressive badminton and won the first set 21-14. It was a good comeback by the Indian pair who took the next two sets 21-19, 21-15 to move into the 2nd round. They will take on Astrup and Rasmussen of Denmark in 2nd round.

In women’s doubles, the pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy lost their first round match to Thailand’s Kititharakul and Prajongjai 14-21, 14-21. The mixed doubles pair of Sikki Reddy and Pranav Chopra lost to Ahmed and Natsir 15-21, 15-21.

PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth's first round matches will take place later today.