Sindhu enters Round 2; Jwala-Ashwini ousted in France

Star Indian shuttler P V Sindhu made a sensational start to her French Super Series campaign as she crushed world number six Ji Hyun Sung of Korea in straight games to sail into the second round of the event here today.

World number 10 Sindhu defeated the Korean, who ousted Saina Nehwal at the Denmark Open last week, 21-8 21-12 in just 29 minutes.

Sindhu, who exited the Denmark Open early, rode on her superior smash winners and deft net play to tame the Korean in a one-sided contest at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin here.

In women's doubles, the pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa went down fighting against Gebby Ristiyani Imawan and Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah of Indonesia in their opening round match at the Stade Pierre De Coubertin.

Renewing their partnership after London Olympics last year, the duo staged a comeback after losing closely in the first game but was overwhelmed 18-21 21-13 17-21 by the world number 16 pair.

The Indian pair started well and had an upper hand in the first game at 17-13 before their opponents won six points on the trot to take the game. But Jwala and Ashwini put that disappointment behind to claim the second game.

The final game, however, was fought keenly but the Indonesian pair relied on their experience to win it and enter the next round in a 50-minute battle.

In the other women singles match, Indian qualifier Arundhati Pantawane crashed out of the first round as she lost to Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand 17-21 21-16 14-21 in her opening round match.