Chetan Anand, Sridhar, Vidyasagar, Kashyap win in Singapore Open

Singapore, June 7 (UNI) The Indian quartet of Chetan Anand, Anup Sridhar, JBS Vidyashar and P Kashyam cleared the first hurdle in the men's singles event even though Arvind Bhatt and Anand Pawar fell by the wayside in the Singapore Open Badminton Chamnpionship here today.

World number 20 Chetan Anand was jolted out of complacence as he lost the first game to Sheng-Shiun Liao. The Indian was soon in his elements as he came back from behind to carve out a 23-25, 21-9, 21-13 win.

Vidyadhar, on the other hand, found going rather easy as he tamed Ireland's Scott Evans 21-15, 21-16 in less than half an hour.

National champion Anup Sridhar overcame early jittersto to beat Dutch opponent Dicky Palyama 30-28, 21-17, while P Kashyap got the better of Salim Sameon of Malaysia 21-17, 21-16.

Arvind Bhatt was not that lucky and despite stretching the match to the decider, the Indian was beaten by German Bjoern Joppien 21-19, 16-21, 21-11.

Anand Pawar on the other hand proved no match for Austrian Juergen Koch who downed the Indian 21-17, 21-12.

In women's doubles too, India had a bad day in the office as Aditi Mutatkar and Sayali Gokhale were handed a 21-8, 21-9 thrashing by the Bulgarian duo of Petya Nedeltcheva and Diana Dimova.

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