Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth progressed through to the round of 16 with a crushing straight games win over Sweden's Henri Hurskainen in the men's singles event here at the Rio Olympics on Sunday.
Srikanth, the only Indian male shuttler in fray in singles, claimed a 21-6, 21-18 win over the Swedish rival in a contest that lasted over half-an-hour at Riocentro-Pavilion 4.The Indian world number 11 will next play his pre-quarterfinal round on Monday.
Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal crashed out of the Rio Olympics in a stunning upset after suffering a straight games defeat against world number 61 Maria Ulitina in her second and final women's singles group stage contest earlier in the day.
Saina, the bronze medallist at the 2012 London Games, was beaten 18-21, 19-21 by unheralded Ukrainian opponent in a magnificent game of badminton.
India, which have sent their largest-ever contingent of 119 athletes in Rio Olympics, are yet to open their medal account in the ongoing Summer Games.
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