China Open: First round shock for Saina

Fourth seed Saina Nehwal made a shock first round exit from the China Open as Indian challenge ended in the singles events of the prestigious badminton tournament, in Shanghai, on Wednesday.

Saina made a strong start by winning the first game but went on to lose 21-15, 22-24, 15-21 in the women's singles after battling for one hour and one minute.

There is no Indian left in the men's singles event as Parupalli Kashyap lost 17-21, 16-21 to Japan's Kenichi Tago in 46 minutes in his first round match.

Adding to the disappointment of Indian camp, Ajay Jayaram then lost his men's singles first round match 18-21, 19-21 to Hong Kong's Wing Ki Wong.

However, Jwala Gutta and V Diju kept the Indian tricolour flying by winning their first round in the mixed doubles.

They defeated Indonesian team of Debby Susanto and Muhammad Rijal 21-17, 21-16 in half-an-hour contest.

Jwala, teaming up with Ashwini Ponappa, has also advanced to the women's doubles second round after defeating Australia's Leanne Choo and Renuga Veeran 21-15, 21-16.

Indian challenge also ended in the men's doubles event following defeat of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas.

They lost 12-21, 14-21 to fifth seed Malaysian pair of Kien Keat Koo and  Boon Heong Tan.

RMV Gurusaidutt and Arvind Bhat had lost in the men's singles qualifiers. Gurusaidutt had lost 21-13, 16-21, 21-23 to China's Yi Lu while Bhat failed to cross the qualifying hurdle after losing 13-21, 14-21 to China's Kai Wen.