Wuhan (China) : Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu cruised into the second round but compatriot Saina Nehwal bowed out fighting in the Badminton Asia Championships here on Wednesday.
The world number three Indian, who clinched the India Super Series early this month, defeated Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia 21-8 21-18 in a lop-sided encounter that lasted just 31 minutes.
London Games bronze medallist, Saina, however, lost to Japan’s Sayaka Sato 19-21 21-16 21-18 in the women’s singles after slogging it for more than an hour.
Seeded seventh, Saina had won bronze medal twice in the prestigious event.
Ajay Jayaram, who reached a career-best ranking of World No 13 last Thursday, defeated fifth seeded Houwei Tian of China 21-18 18-21 21-19 to progress to the second round of the men’s singles event.
2015 Swiss Open champion H S Prannoy also lost a gruelling battle against eighth seeded Ng Ka Long Angus, going down 16-21 21-13 19-21 to the Hong Kong player.
In the mixed doubles event, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki N Reddy lost to Chinese top seeds Siwei Zheng and Qingchen Chen.
