Asian badminton: Anup Sridhar advances

Indian shuttlers had a disappointing day at the Asian Badminton Championships in Johar Baru, Malaysia, on Thursday, most of them bowing out of the competition in various categories.

Anup Sridhar was the lone winner. He beat Poompat Sapkulchananart of Thailand 23-21, 21-14 in a second round match of the men's singles.

Sridhar next faces Hsieh Yu Hsing of Chinese Taipei in the pre-quarter-finals.

The biggest jolt came in the form of Saina Nehwal's defeat. The up and coming Indian lass put up a spirited fight before losing to Chinese World No 10 Jiang Yanjiao 17-21, 21-19, 14-21.

Trupti Murgunde went down tamely to Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia, losing 22-20, 21-10.

The other Indians to bow out were Ravinder Singh and Anand Pawar. While Ravinder surrendered 10-21, 14-21 to Chan Yan Kit of Hong Kong, Pawar lost to Chen Hong 11-21 13-21.

The pair of V Diju and Aparna Balan lost in the mixed doubles 17-21, 16-21 to Xu Chen and Zhao Tingting of China.