Defending champion Saina Nehwal overcame a fighting Lindaweni Fanetri to make a winning start at the Indonesia Open Superseries Premier badminton event here Tuesday.
World No.2 Nehwal got past her 14th-ranked Indonesian opponent 21-17, 27-29, 21-13 in a match lasting one hour thirteen minutes.
Saina, who is eyeing her fourth title here, faces Japan's World No.24 Sayaka Takahashi in the second round Wednesday.
The Indian mixed doubles pairing of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tarun Kona also advanced to second round beating the local duo of Praveen Jordan and Vita Marissa 21-18, 14-21, 25-23.
They next play Poland's Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba.
