Indian challenge ends at Chinese Taipei Open

P.V Sindhu lost to Tai Tzu Ying in straight games

Taipei, July 16 (IANS)

The Indian challenge came to an early end as shuttlers P.V. Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Sameer Verma lost their respective second round matches at the $200,000 Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold here on Thursday.

Two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sindhu, who is yet to find form following her return to the circuit, lost to local talent and third seed Tai Tzu Ying 15-21, 17-21 in 32 minutes in women's singles at the Taipei Arena. With the win, the World No.5 extended her record to 3-1 over the Indian.

Men's singles third seed Srikanth also did not find his legs as the Guntur-born lost 19-21, 18-21 to Indonesian Ihsan Maulana Mustofa in 40 minutes. This was the first ever career meet between the two.

Earlier, World No.1 and Chinese top seed Chen Long defeated Sameer Verma 21-19, 21-16 in 42 minutes in their first match.