Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth made a commanding start to the first round of the German Open, winning in straight games against Slovakia’s Alen Roj on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Indian cruised to a 21-4, 21-11 win in the encounter.
The contest lasted only 21 minutes with Srikanth brushing aside his opponent with consummate ease in the first game. The World No. 30 will face Japan’s Yusuke Onodera in the next round. Meanwhile, Subhankar Dey beat China’s Zhao Junpeng 16-21, 21-17, 21-19 and will face fifth seed NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong. Harshit Aggarwal defeated USA’s Bjorn Segun 18-21, 21-8, 21-6, and will face Hong Kong’s Hu Yun.
India’s fortunes in the opening round nosedived otherwise as Siril Verma and Harsheel Dani bowed out. Tanvi Lad also exited from the first round of the women’s singles opening round, losing 14-21 12-21 to Indonesia’s Priskila Siahaya. Siril lost 13-21 10-21 against former world No.1, China’s Lin Dan. Dani was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen. Rahul Yadav Chittaboina was also knocked out of the first round.