Anup, Saina advance in Asian Championship

Anup Sridhar led the Indian charge with a straight-set first round victory in the Asian badminton championship in Johar Baru, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

Sridhar made light work of Bangladesh's Mostafa Jabed Mohammad for a 21-3, 21-9 win in the men's singles.

Ravinder Singh also advanced to the second round with a 21-17 21-11 verdict against Dinuka Karunaratne of Sri Lanka.

Among the women, Saina Nehwal eked out a hard fought 21-18, 10-21, 21-15 against Hirayama Yu of Japan.

Trupti Murgunde overcame erratic form to beat Indonesian Zebadiah Pia Bernadet 21-14, 16-21, 21-8.

Aditi Mutatkar was the lone loser of the day among the Indians, going down guns blazing against Japan's Eriko Hirose 18-21, 21-16, 19-21.

In the mixed doubles, Aparna Balan combined with V Diju to beat Cho Gun Woo and Hong Soo Jung of Korea 21-7, 21-12.