Orleans Masters: Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth Make Winning Starts; Kiran George Stuns HS Prannoy

Saina Nehwal defeated Ireland's Rachael Darragh 21-9 21-5 in just 21 minutes to move into the second round of Orleans Masters in Paris.

Top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth scripted easy wins but Kiran George stunned HS Prannoy in the second round of the Orleans Masters Super 100 tournament in Paris on Wednesday. Fourth seeded Saina, who is desperately seeking ranking points to make it to her fourth Olympics, took just 21 minutes to crush Ireland's Rachael Darragh 21-9 21-5 in a women's singles opening round match and set up a clash with France's Marie Batomene, ranked 65th in the world. The London Olympics bronze medallist had pulled out of the opening round of All England Open Championships last week after suffering a thigh injury. Top Indian male shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, seeded number one, entered the third round with a 21-15 21-10 win over compatriot Ajay Jayaram 21-15 21-10 in 25 minutes in the second round. He will next meet Malaysia's Cheam June Wei, who is ranked 79 in the world. In the first round, Srikanth had received a bye, while Ajay had prevailed 19-21 23-21 21-16 over fellow Indian Alap Mishra.