Sunrise India Open: Saina, Kashyap enter quarterfinals

New Delhi: Ace shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Paupalli Kashyap kept India’s hopes alive as they cruised into the quarterfinals of $250,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open badminton being played at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on Thursday.

Saina defeated Thailand's Natcha Saengchote 21-15, 21-12, while Kashyap overcame RMV Gurusaidutt 21-15, 16-21, 21-11 in men’s singles.

Kashyap will now face World No 1 Lee Chong Wei while Saina will take on World No 2 Wang Yihan of China. Lee had defeated K Ajay Kumar in the opening round and Sourabh Varma in the second round.

Meanwhile, Sayali Gokhale lost to World No 5 Yeon Ju Bae 15-21, 8-21 while Trupti Murgunde lost to Indonesian Aprilla Yuswandari 13-21, 12-21.

The women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa lost to Chinese Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei 13-21, 19-21.