Jayaram, Sindhu reach second round in Japan Open

New Delhi: Ajay Jayaram and P V Sindhu advanced to the second round of the men`s and women`s singles competition respectively after notching up contrasting victories in the Japan Super Series in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The world number 29 Jayaram thrashed Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore 21-14 21-14, while Sindhu prevailed over Kaori Imabeppu 21-18, 17-21, 21-13 after a gruelling battle that last 57 minutes at Tokyo Yoyogi Gymnasium. However, London Olympics quarterfinalist Parupalli Kashyap was not very lucky as he suffered a straight-game defeat to former world and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat. The seventh seed Indonesian beat Kashyap 21-18, 21-18 in a 48-minute battle. Kashyap blew a seven-point cushion after being ahead at 11-4 in the first game at one point, while in the second game, Taufik didn`t give the Indian any chance. RMV Gurusaidutt also lost his opening match after going down to fourth seed Sho Sasaki of Japan 18-21 15-21 in the men`s singles competition. Men`s doubles pair of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu also failed to cross the first hurdle, losing 16-21 24-26 to fifth seeds Japanese duo of Naoki Kawamae and Shoji Sato. Young shuttler Sai Praneeth B also lost his opening main draw match against Daren Liew, going down 21-17, 15-21, 20-22 to the Malaysian in an hour and five minutes. PTI