Kashyap stuns Zhengming in India Open

Kashyap, who played with a strapping on his shoulder after suffering a partial dislocation in German Open, prevailed over Wang 21-12 17-21 21-12 in a men’s singles match which lasted an hour at Siri Fort Sports Complex.

Malaysia Grand Prix Gold finalist, Sourabh Varma too reached the second round after beating Russia’s Vladimir Ivanov 21-16 17-21 21-14. Another Indian, R M V Gurusaidutt also made his way to the next round with a 17-21 21-16 21-17 win over Chinese Taipei’s Tien Chen Chou in another men’s singles match.

In women’s singles, Sayali Gokhale and Trupti Murgunde reached the second round after contrasting wins.

However, it was curtains for other Indians including top ranked K Srikanth, H S Prannoy, B Sai Praneeth, Anand Pawar, Shreyansh Jaiswal and two-time national champion Anup Sridhar in men’s singles.

In women’s singles, it was end of road for Saili Rane, Tanvi Lad, Shruti Mundada and PC Thulasi.

Kashyap had lost twice to Wang in China and Hong Kong in 2012 and 2013, and the happiness to finally tame the Chinese reflected on his face.

“Just so happy to be able to beat him. I lost to him twice before and he is a kind of player who reads me well. He anticipates my strokes. Today I was anticipating his stokes better,” Kashyap said after the match.