Kuala Lumpur, May 22 || Veteran Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth progressed to the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters after overcoming Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in the second round on Thursday.
Srikanth, currently ranked 65 in the world following a prolonged dip in form, battled for 59 minutes to register a 23-21, 21-17 win over the world No. 33.
In the quarterfinals, He will take on France’s Toma Junior Popov, who advanced after defeating India’s Ayush Shetty 21-13, 21-17.
HS Prannoy put up a determined fight but fell short against Yushi Tanaka, losing 9-21, 18-21 in the second round.
In the mixed doubles, the Indian duo of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila secured a place in the quarterfinals with a gritty 21-17, 18-21, 21-15 victory over France’s Lea Palermo and Julien Maio. They will next face the Chinese pair of Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin.
Meanwhile, Sathish Karunakaran bowed out of the tournament following a 14-21, 16-21 loss to Toma’s brother and doubles partner, Christo Popov.