Malaysia Open: Saina Nehwal knocked out in first round after losing to Thailand's Chochuwong

Saina Nehwal Wednesday registered a major upset as she lost to Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong 22-20, 15-21, 10-21 in the first round of the Malaysian Open.

Saina, who withdrew from Swiss Open due to acute gastroenteritis, was playing her first game and lacked stamina. 

Chochuwong took just 54 minutes to beat Nehwal and advance to the second round.

Earlier, Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the second round in Kuala Lumpur.
 
Sindhu faced a stiff challenge from World no 20 Aya Ohori but surpassed her performance 22-20 21-12 to record her sixth win over the Japanese.

Meanwhile, Srikanth defeated Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa 21-18 21-16 in nearly 38 minutes.

Fifth seed Sindhu will next face Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun, while Srikanth will lock horns with Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab on Thursday.