Scottish International Badminton: Anand Pawar storms into quarterfinals

India’s Anand Pawar pulled the plug on Bulgaria’s Blagovest Kisyov 21-11, 21-16 to storm into the quarterfinals of the Scottish International Badminton Championship. The seventh seeded Indian never allowed the 271st ranked Bulgarian to get in any kind of groove, peppering him with power-packed smashes on both flanks as well as engaging in delicate play at the net.

The Indian, who jumped five places in the latest world rankings to 55th position, won the opening game at 21-11. The authoritative opening game win saw Pawar’s confidence soaring even more as he breezed past his opponent in the second game at 21-16.

Earlier, Pawar made a confident start to the tournament, routing unheralded Sam Dobson 21-14, 21-7. The Indian proved far too superior for the 592nd ranked Englishmen and closed out the straight games win in just 29 minutes.

Dobson had no answers to all the on-court questions thrown by Pawar and caved in meekly.