Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal [Images] hardly showed any fatigue from a recent bout of chickenpox as she stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of World Badminton Championships with a straight-game victory over Russian Anastasia Prokopenko in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, who was laid low by chicken pox just a few days before the championship, outplayed her rival 21-10, 21-17 in 27 minutes in the women's singles second round.

The local favourite faces Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva on Thursday.

Among other Indians, men's doubles pair of Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal squandered a position of strength to go down 21-17, 13-21, 18-21 against 16th seed Vitalij Durkin and Alexandr Nikolaenko of Russia [Images] in 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, top seed Mi Zhou of Hong Kong beat Kiwi Michelle Chan Ky 21-11, 21-15, while men's number one seed Chong Wei Lee beat Ola Fagbemi of Nigeria 21-11, 21-14.

Mercurial world number four Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia defeated Mathieu Lo Ying Ping 21-17, 21-15 in another men's singles encounter.

Sixth seed Saina, who got a bye in the first round, started aggressively and opened up a 12-8 lead in little time. Leading 16-8 after that, Saina smashed five straight points to pocket the first game easily.

However, she struggled a bit in the next game as a change of ends led to slower drift for her.

In a battle of nerves, the two rivals went neck and neck from 5-5 to 14-14 but after a see-saw battle, it was the Hyderabadi who had the last laugh. 

"In the first game, the drift was fast so I played a more attacking game and hit more smashes. She couldn't pick up those but in the same game I was on the other side, so knowing the wind I involved her in some long rallies," Saina told reporters.

"I have played her for the first time but yesterday I saw her play. She has some good drives. I was confident about my game and I am happy that I started on the right note," she added.

The world number six Indian also asserted she was completely fit.

"I am fit and I didn't feel too tired. She was an okay player but tomorrow I play a much tougher opponent, my fitness will be tested," she said. 

About the ubiquitous crowd which cheered her every move, Saina said she was hoping for the spectator-count to go up with every match.

"It wasn't very different. I wasn't tense but I think it's good for the game that so many people are cheering the players. It has been a very good support and I hope more crowds will turn up tomorrow," she said.