JOIN USOlympic medallists Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu sailed into the women's singles quarterfinals with straight-game wins but it was curtains for Kidambi Srikanth at the BWF Badminton World Championships here on Thursday.
Saina, who had clinched a silver and a bronze at the 2015 and 2017 editions, downed 2013 champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-16, 21-19 to make her eighth straight entry into the quarterfinals. She will next face Olympic champion and two-time world champion Carolina Marin of Spain.
Later in the day, last edition's silver medallist Sindhu, seeded third, eased past ninth seed Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea 21-10, 21-18 in another third round clash.
Sindhu will next play eighth-seeded Japanese Nozomi Okuhara, who had beaten the Indian in the final last year.
B Sai Praneeth also eased into the men's singles quarterfinals with a comfortable 21-13, 21-11 win over Denmark's Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus. He will next take on sixth seed Kento Momoto.
The Indian mixed doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa also stood one step away from a medal after pulling off a stunning 20-22, 21-14, 21-6 victory over the Malaysian world No 7 combination of Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai.
Fifth seed Srikanth's dream of winning a medal came crashing down after he was outwitted 18-21, 18-21 by the experienced Malaysian Daren Liew in a 41-minute clash.
"I had my chances but couldn't keep the shuttle in. Too many smashes out, too many mistakes. I should have handled it much better," said Srikanth.
Saina showed amazing retrieving skills against Intanon, who is on a comeback trail after recovering from an injury.
"It is a very good win. She is known for a deceptive game. The second game was going my way, but suddenly she played some difficult strokes, she was everywhere and made it 19-19. At that point, Gopi sir played a big role. He told me what to do and I followed that and the game turned in my favour," Saina said.
"Pressure is less on me now because the last few tournaments I haven't been able to cross the quarterfinals but I have played well at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Championship. But I can see that the form sometimes goes here and there but I am happy it is coming back in important events."
Talking about her next match against Marin, Saina said: "I have played her at Denmark Open last, she is quick and aggressive and it would be a challenging match for me and I will just look to give my best."
Lin Dan ousted
Lin Dan's bid for a sixth world title met a sorry end as the man widely regarded as the best player of all time was beaten 21-5, 21-9 by Chinese compatriot Shi Yuqi in the last 16.
Men's reigning champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and women's number one Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan both progressed.
The 24-year-old Axelsen pulled through against 10th seed Angus Ng Ka-long of Hong Kong 21-19, 21-18 and will play China's Olympic champion Chen Long in a mouthwatering showdown
Tai defeated American Zhang Beiwen 21-19, 21-14.