It was a mixed day for India at the Japan Open as four shuttlers, including Saina Nehwal reached the second round, while others bowed out of the singles events of the Super Series badminton tournament here on Wednesday.
World No. 1 Saina eked out a close 21-14, 22-20 win over Thailand's Busanan Ongbumrungpan in the women's singles and the second seed will next take on Japan's Minatsu Mitani, an opponent against whom the Indian has a 5-2 record.
Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap was handed a win by Japan's Takuma Ueda after he retired midway due to a back injury at 3-2 in the men's singles opening game.
Kashyap will next take on compatriot Kidambi Srikanth, seeded third, who beat Ireland's Scott Evans 21-18, 21-15 in another men's singles match.
Indonesia Masters winner H S Prannoy also notched up a thrilling 23-21, 22-20 win over Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong Kong in 49 minutes. The World No. 12 will next square up against Korea's lee Dong Keun.
However, it turned out to be a disappointing day for other Indians.
Two-time bronze medallist at World Championship, PV Sindhu failed to break the defence of Minatsu Mitani as her fight ended with a 13-21, 21-17, 11-21 loss to Japanese shuttler in women's singles competition.
In men's singles, lee Dong Keun of Korea beat B Sai Praneeth 21-23, 10-21.
Dutch Open winner Ajay also faltered at the first round, going down 10-21, 10-21 to Viktor Axelsen.
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa played out of their skin before going down 20-22, 21-18, 13-21 to eighth seeds Zhao Yunlei and Zhong Qianxin of China.
Pradnya Gadre and N Sikki Reddy also made an early exit, losing 6-21, 17-21 to top seeds Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi.
Saina, Jwala to skip Korea Open
India's badminton queen Saina Nehwal and celebrated doubles player Jwala Gutta will miss next week's Korea Open Superseries scheduled to be held from September 15 to 20.
The 25-year-old did not send her entry for the $600,000 tournament, while Jwala has decided to give the event a miss as she is suffering from fever.
All the other top players, including Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap, PV Sindhu and H S Prannoy will take part in Korea Open.