International Master Tania Sachdev also overcame a shocking first round loss in the women’s section to beat Aices Salvador of Philippines.

Among others, International Master SP Sethuraman defeated compatriot Padmini Rout to share a nine-way lead at the top.

The other leaders are Chinese trio of Yu Ruiyuan, Ding Liren and Yu Yangyi, Filipinos Allan Macala, Oliver Barbosa and Wesley So, Susanto Magaranto of Indonesia.

In the next round, Sasikiran will take on Magaranto while Sethuraman has an important game against Yangyi.

Grandmaster P Harikrishna also recovered from a first round loss to post his first win in the tournament at the expense of Wang Li of China.

The Indian was relentless in his effort and was a picture of confidence while outclassing Wang Li, who had lost his first round to Abhijeet Gupta. Abhijeet, however, ended on the losing end against Oliver Barbosa.

S Meenakshi also had a bad day in office as she went down fighting against top seeded Ju Wenjun of China while Kiran Manisha Mohanty played out a draw with Ghazal Hakimifrad of Iran.

Important results (round II, Indians unless stated): Men: Homayoon Toufighi (Iri, 1) lt to K. Sasikiran (2); Ni Hua (Chn, 1.5) drew Tu Hoang Thong (Vie, 1.5); Salem AR Saleh (UAE, 1) lt to Wesley So (Phi, 2); Yu Yangyi (Chn, 2) bt Kirill Kuderinov (Kaz, 1); Ding Liren (Chn, 2) bt Lou Yiping (Chn, 1); Ziaur Rahman (Ban, 1) lt to Yu Ruiyuan (Chn, 2); GN Gopal (1.5) drew Asghar Golizadeh (Iri, 1.5); Zhou Weiqi (Chn, 1.5) drew Neelotpal Das (1.5); Oliver Barbosa (Phi, 2) bt Abhijeet Gupta (1); Padmini Rout (1) lt to SP Sethuraman (2); S Kidambi (1) drew Duong The Anh (Vie, 1); B Adhiban (10) drew Jony Habla (Phi, 1); Nelson Iii Mariano (Phi, 0.5) lt to Tejas Bakre (1.5); P Hari Krishna (1) bt Wang Li (Chn, 0); D Harika (0.5) drew Julius de Ramos (0.5).

Women: Ju Wenjun (Chn, 1.5) bt Subbaraman Meenakshi (0.5); Ghazal Hakimifard (Iri, 1) drew Kiran Manisha Mohanty (1); Tania Sachdev (1) bt Aices Salvador (Phi, 0).