Indian medal contenders, P V Sindhu and Parupalli Kashyap notched up easy victories in the women's and men's singles events respectively to storm into the prequarterfinals of the badminton competition at the 20th Commonwealth Games here today.
Indian shuttlers had a good day in office as P C Thulasi, RMV Gurusaidutt, Kidambi Srikanth and men's doubles pair of Pranaav Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar too reached the last 16 at the Emirates Arena.
World No. 11 Sindhu had a walk in the park against South Africa's Sandra Le Grange whom she tamed 21-4 21-6 in just 17 minutes, while Delhi Games bronze medallist, Kashyap streamrolled Dakeil Thorpe 21-9 21-5 in a 19-minute men's singles match.
World Championship bronze medallist, Sindhu will next take on 17-year-old Thilini Hendahewa of Srilanka, while London Olympics quarterfinalist, Kashyap will meet Australia's Jeff Tho in last 16.
In another women's singles match, Thulasi made mince meat of Ireland's Sinead Chambers 21-10 21-2 in 24 minutes, while Gurusaidutt brushed aside Edwin Ekiring of Uganda 21-13 21-11 in a men's singles match that lasted for half an hour.
Thulasi faces the winner of the match between Canada's R Honderich and Solen Pasturel of Jersey, while Gurusaidutt will next take on Canada's Andrew D'Souza.
Srikanth also didn't break any sweat as he disposed off Daniel Font of Wales 21-8 21-13 in his round of 32 match. The Thailand Grand Prix Gold winner will square off against N Karunaratne next.
In men's doubles, Pranaav and Akshay thrashed Sri Lankan pair of Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Dullewa 21-10 21-9 in a 23-minute match.
After his match, Kashyap said: "That was straightforward. I'm getting used to the conditions and I'm feeling good."
On whether he is using the early rounds as a workout, he said: "It all depends on the opponent. If we can get some shuttles going then I can work on something otherwise I just try to get it over with as quickly as possible. Today I just got it over with."
On facing Jeff Tho in the last 16, he said: "I've played him a couple of times before but a long way back and I expect to win.
