IMAGE:India's Saina Nehwal returns a shot. Photograph: Darren Whiteside/Reuters.
Two-time champion Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy progressed to the quarter-finals after straight-game victories in the women's and men's singles respectively at the $ 120,000 Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament, in Basel.
The London Olympics bronze medallist saw off Kristina Gavnholt, the world number 41 from Czech Republic, 21-18, 21-17 in 34 minutes on Thursday night.
The Indian ace will next take on seventh seeded Japanese Sayaka Sato.
Prannoy, seeded 13th, prevailed over 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Rajiv Ouseph of England, seeded sixth, 21-13, 21-18 to set up a clash with 16th seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand.
Sixth seed P V Sindhu, who also reached the quarter-finals, will meet China's He Bingjiao next.
