Jayaram stuns world No 6 Sasaki, Saina advances

Saina Nehwal began her title defence at the Hong Kong Open Super Series with a thrashing of local girl Tsz Ka Chan on Wednesday.

The world No 4 needed just 28 minutes to send Chan packing 21-4, 21-17, at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Ajay Jayaram, who reached the last 16 at the World Championships and produced some brilliant performances over the last six months, stunned world No 6 Sho Sasaki in his opening match of the men's singles event.

The world No 34 Indian beat the sixth seed Japanese 14-21, 21-18, 21-14 in 49 minutes to set up a clash with Jie Yao of Holland in the second round.

Arvind Bhat and RMV Gurusaidutt also advanced. While Arvind beat Tien Chen Chou 21-18, 21-15, Gurusaidutt defeated Brice Leverdez 21-11, 21-16 in other first round matches.

Up against four-time World champion Lin Dan, India's P Kashyap played his heart out before going down 21-16, 17-21, 14-21 in 67 minutes.

Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas also reached the second round of the men's doubles, beating the English pair of Chris Adcock and Andrew Ellis 21-16, 21-17.

Jwala Gutta and V Diju were through in the mixed doubles with a 21-15, 26-24 victory over the local pair of Wai Hong Wong and Hoi Wah Chau in the first round.

However, India's ace women's doubles pair of Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa crashed out, losing 15-21, 14-21 to eight seeds Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of England.