Indonesia Masters 2020: Sindhu defeats Japan's Aya Ohori in Round 1

India's ace badminton player P V Sindhu on Wednesday defeated Japan's Aya Ohori in 14-21, 21-15, 21-11 in her opening match of the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters Super 500 taking place at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Mistimed shots and errors cost Sindhu the first game. However, she pulled off a stunning comeback to win the second game that showcased her usual composure. The world No. 6 went on to take a five-point lead during the interval of the decisive game at 11-6. The lead widened to 11 points at 18-7 and eventually won the game.

Sindhu has not shown her sparks after her win at the World Championships in August 2019. She will aim to regain her form back in the Olympics year. It was Sindhu's 10th successive win over Ohori.

Earlier last week, Sindhu notched up a commanding 21-10, 21-15 victory over Ohori in the pre-quarterfinal match of the Malaysia Masters Super 500 lasting just 34 minutes.

India's former world no. 1 women's badminton ace and last year's champion Saina Nehwal went down against Japan's Sayaka Takahashi 21-19, 13-21, 5-21.

A tight competition ensued in the first game, where Saina got the better off her rival where several errors by Takahashi failed to match Saina's stupendous smashes and equally good court coverage. The Japanese eased past Saina and after the interval in the second game and took a three-point lead initially which Saina failed to cope up with and eventually she lost the game which led the match into a deciding third game. Takahashi dominated the third game and took a splendour 4-11 lead at the interval. Saina looked helpless as the lead gap further extended and she lost 21-5

India's top-ranked male singles shuttler B. Sai Praneeth, despite winning the first game went down against China's Shi Yu Qi 21-16, 18-21, 10-21 in Round 1 of the tournament.

Praneeth put up a spirited display in toe-to-toe proceedings in the first game to win it. However, he fell short, as the Chinese exhausted Praneeth in the battle of might during the second two games. Sai lost last 8 points on the trot in the final game. It's the fourth defeat on the trot for Praneeth against the Chinese shuttler.

China's Lu Guang Zu pulls off a victory after trailing by one game to defeat India's male singles shuttler Sourabh Verma 21-17, 13-21, 10-21 in Round 1.

Sourabh Verma showcased his brilliance to pocket the first game despite a toe-to-toe contest. However, Zu fought back to dominate the next two games which saw Verma as no match to his rival.

Kidambi Srikanth suffers first-round defeat against Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito 21-18, 12-21, 14-21

Srikanth, who has been struggling to get back his form off late, couldn't cross the threshold of the first round again. It was the second time for him, who saw an opening-match exit at the Malaysia Masters last week against Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei.

In the second game, Rhustavito took an early lead, however, Srikanth came back to make 7-7. A couple of mistimed shots cost the Indian few points as the proceedings went on the Indonesian's favour 8-11 at the interval. Rhustavito further climbed the lead 12-18 owing to series of errors by the Indian and eventually won the game 12-21. The third game again saw Rhustavito taking an early lead of 2-5. At the interval, Kidambi was trailing 6-11. The lead further extended to 9-16 and eventually Srikanth lost.