First-round wins for Saina, Sindhu, Sameer

Rio Olympics silver medallist Sindhu streamrolled compatriot Arundhati Pantawane 21-17 21-6, while London Games bronze medallist Saina defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chia Hsin Lee 21-10 21-17 in a lop-sided contest. 

Sameer, who had clinched his maiden Grand Prix Gold title at the Syed Modi International, shocked fourth seeded Korean Son Wan Ho 21-17 21-10 in a 45-minute contest to set up a clash with Hong Kong’s Hu Yun next. Sai Praneeth, a finalist at Lucknow and who recently recovered from a shoulder injury, staved off a challenge from Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto to win 16-21 21-12 21-19.