Saina bows to Jie Yao in Super Series first round

Eighth-seeded Saina was not in her elements as the 20-year-old went down 16-21, 12-21 in just 26 minutes against unseeded Yao to crash out of the tournament.

However, the Indian men’s doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas registered a comfortable win over Malaysian Pak Chu Chow and Chieng Hun Hong 21-18, 21-9 in a 28-minute battle to reach the second round of the event.

The world number six Indian faltered from the start and could pose no threat to her unheralded opponent.

Yao opened up a 7-1 lead initially and even though Saina narrowed the gap to 16-18, the Dutch pocketed three straight points to grab the first game.

The second game was no different as after 2-2, Yao moved ahead to 6-2 first and then widen the gap to 17-12 before finishing it off in style as Saina was left awe-struck.

Meanwhile, Indian mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta will take on English combo of Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg in the second round on Thursday.