Indian shuttlers off to winning start in World Badminton

Jayaram defeated 15th seeded Japanese in 40 minutes.

London: Indian shuttlers made a strong start to their World Badminton campaign, winning their respective encounters comfortably on the opening day of the event here today.

Ajay Jayaram beat 15th seed Kenichi Tago of Japan 21-12, 21-19, in a 40-minute first round contest. The unseeded Indian will next meet Vladimir Ivanov of Russia who defeated Michal Matejka of Slovakia 21-10, 21-6 in another opening round match. In women`s doubles, Commonwealth Games gold medallist combination of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa defeated American pair of Eva Lee and Paula Lynn Obanana 21-9, 21-18 to advance to the second round. The experienced India duo now runs into the second seeded Chinese Taipei pair of Wen Hsing Cheng and Yu Chin Chien who got a first round bye. PTI