‘Too premature’: BAI rejects reports about appointing foreign coaches
The media reports claimed that BAI appointed Irwansyah as the new singles coach for the men and women while Tan Him Ker was roped in as the doubles coach for both categories.
Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth began his 2021 BWF World Championships campaign with a win over Pablo Abian of Spain on the opening day of the competition, here on Sunday. India’s Lakshya Sen also advanced to the second round after getting a walkover from Max Weisskirchen of Germany.
The 28-year old Srikanth beat Abian 21-12, 21-16 in the first round of the men’s singles clash, which lasted for 36 minutes.
The Indian attacked right from the start as his opponent couldn’t match his pace, taking an 11-2 lead at the changeover. The home player tried to make a comeback and fetched a few quick points but Srikanth won the first game convincingly with a 21-12 scoreline.
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The Spaniard made a spirited start in the second game but a series of five straight points brought Srikanth back and he went into the interval with an 11-7 lead. After the break, the Indian shuttler continued in the same fashion and won the second game 21-16 to sail into the next round. In the second round, Srikanth will meet Li Shi Feng of China, who advanced by beating Timothy Lam of the United States 21-6, 21-10.
However, the Indian men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy lost in straight games against Joel Elpe and Rasmus Kjaer of Denmark in the opening round. They lost 16-21 15-21 in a 32-minute clash to make an exit from the tournament.
Earlier in the day, the women’s doubles pair of Pooja Dandu and Sanjana Santosh retired after losing the first game 12-21 to the Dutch duo of Alyssa Tirtosentono and Imke van der Aar.
Meanwhile, reigning champion PV Sindhu will open her campaign against Martina Repiska of Slovakia.
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