Saina to meet Chinese qualifier,Jwala pulls out from mixed event

The Chinese have unleased the full force of their might at their home Super Series,with nine locals making it to the Round of 16 in the womens singles in Shanghai. World No 6 Saina Nehwal comes up against one such unknown qualifier Xia Jingyun in the second round,after the 19-year-old Indian swatted Canadian Charmaine Reid 21-6 21-12 in her opener in 25 minutes. Jingyun had beaten seasoned Jie Yao 21-16 21-12. After her first-round exit in Hong Kong,Nehwal is looking for a good showing ahead of the season-ending Super Series Masters in Malaysia,but will find her path of progress teeming with Chinese opponents.

There was bad news for Indians in mixed doubles when Jwala Gutta,who had been unwell since the beginning of the week,could not continue with her match alongside V Diju against Koreans Baek Cheol Shin and Min Jung Kim while trailing 21-14 11-3 and retired. She wasnt keeping too well since last week,but we tried competing anyway, V Diju said. The pair is still hopeful of making the Top 8 grade for the Malaysian event,but have their fingers crossed.

In other singles matches,Aravind Bhat got the better of Korean Wan Ho Shon 21-18 21-16,and will play Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro. Chetan Anand,who was made to sweat 22-20 25-23 against Ukrainian qualifier Valeriy Atrachenkov,meets Chinese Pengyu Du in Round 2.