Sameer, Praneeth knocked out of Australian Open

Sydney, May 11:

Fourth seed Sameer Verma was shocked by Chinese qualfier Lu Guangzu while second seed B Sai Praneeth was knocked out by Lee Cheuk Yiu as Indian challenge ended at Australian Open badminton championship, here today.

Sameer lost 14-21 6-21 to his opponent while Praneeth lost 21-23, 14-21 to his opponent from Hong Kong.

In the men’s doubles, third seeds Manu Atri and Sumeet B Reddy advanced to the semifinals after winning the all-Indian quarterfinal against M R Arjun and Shlok Ramchandran 17-21 21-19 21-18.

They will now lock horns with top seeded Indonesian pair of Berry Angriawan and  Hardianto.

Indian challenge has already ended in the women’s singles with defeats of Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka and Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka. PTI