PV Sindhu survived a scare before downing Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei 18-21, 27-25, 21-9 in her first round match of the Badminton Asia Championships in Manila on Wednesday.
Saina Nehwal also advanced, defeating Sim Yujin of South Korea 21-15, 17-21, 21-13. Kidambi Srikanth was the lone Indian survivor in men's singles. He downed Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia 22-20, 21-15. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen suffered a first round loss to Li Shi Feng of China.
The fifth seeded Indian lost his way against the Chinese world No. 64, and bowed out after a 21-12, 10-21, 19-21 defeat. Sai Praneeth was no match for fourth seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia and lost 17-21, 13-21.
In a major setback, top seed Kento Momota of Japan crashed out of the tournament after his 17-21, 21-17, 21-7 defeat to Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo of Indonesia.
After losing the first game, Sindhu trailed 15-19 in the second. But she rallied to win five straight points and prevailed on extra points. Sindhu dominated the third game and will face world No. 100 Yue Yann Jasly Hooi of Singapore.
