Ajay Jayaram upsets third seed Tago in China Masters

Mumbai boy Ajay Jayaram put behind the disappointment of missing out on the London Olympic berth by hammering third seed Kenichi Tago of Japan 21-13, 21-17 in the first major tournament after the Olympics.

The Indian Oil Employee had beaten his Japanese opponent in the world championship last year in their first ever meeting and even on Wednesday was hardly under any pressure as he disposed off the challenge of the experienced campaigner in about 40 minutes in the opening round of the China Masters Super Series tournament in Changzhou. He will now face Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore in the second round.

Also advancing to the next round were London Olympics quarterfinalist P Kashyap, who got the better of local boy Huan Gao 21-13, 14-21, 21-19 in an hour and 18 minutes, along with RMV Guru Sai Dutt and Sourabh Verma.

Results

Men’s singles

8-P Kashyap bt Huan Gao (CHN) 21-13, 14-21, 21-19

Ajay Jayaram bt 3-Kenichi Tago (JPN) 21-13, 21-17

Anand Pawar lost to 2-Chen Jin (CHN) 21-17, 21-12

RMV Guru Sai Dutt bt Muhammad Hafiz Hashim (MAS) 21-18, 19-21, 21-13

Sourabh Verma bt Daren Liew (MAS) 19-21, 21-17, 21-12

Men’s Doubles

Pranav Chopra/Akshay Dewalkar lost to Patiphat Chalardchaleam/Nipitphon Puangpuapech (THA) 21-11, 17-21, 21-18

K Tarun/Arun Vishnu lost to Rasmus Bonde/Mads Conrad-Petersen (DEN) 18-21, 21-12, 21-19

Women’s singles

PV Sindhu bt Jamie Subandhi (USA) 21-15, 21-12