Three out of the five Indian shuttlers in the main draw of the 2016 Japan Open – Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy and Ajay Jayaram – have advanced to the second round of the men's singles competition.
Eighth-seed and quarter-finalist at the Rio Olympics, Srikanth, beat compatriot Parupalli Kashyap 14-21, 21-14, 23-21, on the latter's return from a long-term injury, in a marathon 62-minute encounter, reported PTI.
Jayaram defeated Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in straight games, 21-19, 23-21 in 46 minutes and avenged his loss to the latter at the 2013 Hong Kong Open. Jayaram will face Kidambi in the round of 16.
Prannoy had to dig deep to eke out a 23-21, 19-21, 21-18 win over Malaysia's Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin. He will take on the winner of the match between Hong Kong's Wong Wing Ki Vincent and second seed and Rio bronze medallist Dane Viktor Axelsen.
B Sai Praneeth, who won the Canada Open in July, lost 21-9, 21-23, 10-21 to NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong.
There are no Indian shuttlers competing in the women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles or mixed doubles.
