US Open Badminton: Tanvi Sharma, Kidambi Srikanth Cruise into Second Round

FULLERTON (US): India’s rising badminton stars Tanvi Sharma and Kidambi Srikanth made winning starts to their campaigns at the US Open Super 300 tournament, advancing comfortably to the next round with straight-game victories.

World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi overcame Germany’s Yvonne Li 23-21, 21-16 in the women’s singles first round on Wednesday. The youngster displayed composure in a closely fought opening game before taking control of the contest to seal the match in two games.

Another Indian in the women’s singles draw, reigning Thailand Masters champion Devika Sihag, also progressed with ease after defeating Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo 21-14, 21-14.

In the men’s singles event, an all-Indian first-round clash saw promising shuttler Rounak Chouhan get the better of former world junior silver medallist S Sankar Muthusamy. Rounak registered a 23-21, 21-16 victory to move into the next round.