Pawar in German Open pre-quarters, Bhat knocked out

Indian shuttler Anand Pawar notched up a straight-game win over sixth seed Viktor Axelsen to join compatriot Ajay Jayaram in the pre-quarterfinals of the German Open badminton championship in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.

World No 51 Anand raised his game and rode on his smashes to outclass Viktor, who is ranked 22nd, 21-11, 22-20 in a 35-minute men's singles match at the RWE-Sporthalle on Wednesday.

The Mumbai shuttler will next take on Hsuan Yi Hsueh of Chinese Taipei later on Thursday.

However, it was curtains for senior shuttler Arvind Bhat, who suffered a 10-21, 16-21 loss to second seed Boonsak Ponsana in another men's singles match which lasted for just over half-an-hour.

In men's doubles, Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu crashed out after losing 16-21, 17-21 to V Shem Goh and Khim Wah Lim in the opening round.