Former world champion PV Sindhu cruised into the pre-quarterfinal after bagging an easy win over Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui at BWF China Open 2019 on Wednesday. However, Sindhu faced an upsetting loss in the next round against Pornpawee Chochuwong. Saina Nehwal too, crashed out of the competition in the first round after Busanan Ongbamrungphan won straight sets. Ashwini Ponnappa and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy had similar results like Sindhu, as they were knocked out in the second round. 

ALSO READ | Tamil Nadu: 70 YO Man Files Petition; Says He Wants To Marry PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu's shocking exit

India's superstar broke no sweat to beat China's champion Li Xuerui with a 21-18, 21-12 score. Sindhu settled the game in just 34 minutes to set up a meeting with Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong in the next round. Xuerui came into the competition with a 3-3 record against Sindhu. The Indian shuttler extended her splendid run and produced another masterclass when she faced the current 20th-ranked Chinese player.

PV Sindhu experienced a shocking exit in her pre-quarterfinal clash against Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong on Thursday. Sindhu faced a disappointing 21-12, 13-21, 19-21 defeat in a match which went on for more than 50 minutes. The former world champion had faced Chochuwong thrice before and won all matches. Sindhu looked strong in the first set and dominated the round with a comfortable 21-12 win. However, Pornpawee changed gears in the second round and went on to get the better of the reigning world champion to clinch a fascinating win. 

Saina Nehwal's disappointing run

Former World No.1 badminton player, Saina Nehwal, was knocked out of China Open 2019 after a disheartening loss against Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan on Wednesday. The Olympic bronze medallist departed in the first round as she was beaten with a 10-21, 17-21 score by World No.19 Ongbamrungphan. The match went on for 44 minutes, and it was the Indian's second consecutive loss against the Thai player. Nehwal has struggled to find her form since her injuries this season.

ALSO READ | Shuttler Saina Nehwal: All You Need To Know About Her BWF Career

Ashwini Ponnappa, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy out of BWF China Open 2019

Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa managed to win the opening round. Their opponents Cheng Chi Ya and Lee Chih Chen retired midway in the second game on Wednesday. However, the Indian duo was beaten with scores of 11-21, 21-16, 12-21 by Japan's Yuki Kaneko and Misaki Matsutomo in the pre-quarterfinal of the tournament.

ALSO READ | Saina Nehwal Praises PV Sindhu For Winning World Championship Title