Thailand Open: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Ashwini Ponnappa advance in blended doubles

Image Source : GETTY IMAGES File picture of Ashwini Ponnappa (left) and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.
The Indian blended doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa on Tuesday superior to the second spherical of the Thailand Open following a hard-fought win over Indonesia’s Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.

Satwiksairaj and Ashwini defeated their Indonesian opponent 21-11, 27-29, 21-16 within the opening spherical contest which lasted one hour and 12 minutes.

The Indian duo will subsequent face the Chinese pair of Chang Tak Ching and Ng Wing Yung for a spot within the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy have withdrawn from the event after testing constructive for Covid-19.

“Two Indian players, Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy, have tested positive for Covid-19. Both players have withdrawn from the tournament and have been isolated in a hospital for a minimum of 10 days,” the Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed on their official Twitter deal with.

“BAI is in constant touch with BWF, team management, players and organiser,” it added.

Saina slated to tackle Kisona Selvaduray of Malaysia in her opening spherical contest on Tuesday who has now been given a walkover. Prannoy, then again, was slated to tackle Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in his opening spherical contest.

Saina’s husband Parupalli Kashyap has additionally withdrawn from the event. Kashyap was to tackle Jason Anthony Ho-Shue of Canada in his opening spherical contest. Jason has been given a walkover.