Thailand Masters: India’s Challenge Ends On Opening Day

Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal’s poor form and a disappointing start to the year continued in the second consecutive tournament as the Olympic bronze medalist was knocked out of the Thailand Masters tournament in the opening round. In the Thailand Masters, Saina lost to Denmark’s Line Hojmark in the first round. Laine won the match 21-13, 17-21, 21-15.

Saina Nehwal came down to compete in the second badminton tournament of the year, Thailand Masters but was shown the door within just 47 minutes. With the loss of Saina, the Indian hopes in singles also ended.

Olympic medalist Saina did not have a good start against the Danish player. She lost the first set 21–13 but then returned back stronger by wining to the second set to make it 21–17 and force a decider. However, the Danish player won even after a tough fight in the last set. In the third set, Saina lost 21-15 and was eliminated from the first round of the second consecutive tournament of 2020.

Saina was eliminated from the tournament in Indonesia Masters in the first tournament of the year in less than an hour. Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi had defeated Saina 21–19, 13–21, 5–21 in the first round and had pulled curtains for Saina in Indonesia masters.

HS Prannoy was the third Indian to bow out in men’s singles, knocked out by Malaysia’s Liew Daren.

Prannoy fought his way back into the match by winning the second game 22-20, after losing the first 17-21. But the Malaysian held his nerve to edge the Indian 21-19 in another close game to end the match in 68 minutes.

In the morning, Indian star badminton player Kidambi Srikanth also lost in the first round. Srikanth was defeated by Sesar Hiren Rustavito of Indonesia 21-12 14-21 12-21. After winning the first set, the Indian star could not maintain his rhythm and lost the next two sets. In the match which lasted for just 48 minutes, world number five Srikanth had to be eliminated from the tournament.