Tokyo, 16 July (H.S.): Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu produced a commanding performance to advance to the quarter-finals of the Japan Open Super 750 badminton tournament, defeating China's World No. 5 Han Yue in straight games. World No. 10 Sindhu registered a convincing 21-16, 21-14 victory in just 35 minutes in the second-round match. The win is being regarded as one of her finest performances of the season.

Sindhu made a relatively slow start to the contest but found her rhythm midway through the opening game, taking control of the rallies and establishing a decisive lead. She completely dominated the second game, racing to an 8-0 advantage with an aggressive display before comfortably sealing the match.

Sindhu will now face experienced Japanese shuttler Nozomi Okuhara in the quarter-finals. Okuhara received a walkover in the second round after top-seeded South Korean player An Se-young withdrew from the tournament.

Tanisha-Dhruv Pair Eliminated

With Sindhu's victory, she remains India's sole surviving contender in the tournament. In the mixed doubles event, the Indian pair of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila bowed out in the pre-quarter-finals after a hard-fought defeat to China's top-seeded duo of Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping.

The Indian pair put up a spirited fight but eventually lost 20-22, 17-21 in a closely contested 47-minute encounter, falling short despite a determined performance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar