Sindhu, seeded sixth and ranked seventh in the world, staved off a spirited challenge from world number 62, USA’s Lauren Lam 21-19 19-21 21-18 to set up a clash with Sim Yu Jin, who had played a pivotal role in Korea’s Uber Cup win.
Fresh from playing a major role in the Thomas Cup victory, Srikanth, seeded eighth, produced a gritty show to get the better of Brice Leverdez of France 18-21 21-10 21-16 in 49 minutes.
The World number 11 Indian will next face Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen, who defeated Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus of Denmark 21-12 23-21 in the first round.
Prannoy, who won the decisive third singles during the quarterfinals and semifinals of Thomas Cup, went down fighting 17-21 21-15 15-21 to Daren Liew of Malaysia.
Among other Indians in the fray, Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam beat Thailand’s Kittipak Dubthuk and Prinda Pattanawaritthipan 21-12 21-17 to enter the second round.
Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto got a walkover from USA’s Mathew Fogarty and Isabel Zhong to also advance to the second round.
London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal battled hard for 50 minutes before losing 21-11 15-21 17-21 to Korean Kim Ga Eun in the women’s singles first round.
Indian qualifier Ashmita Chaliha lost to seventh seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 10-21 15-21 in a first round match that lasted 29 minutes.
Compatriot and another qualifier, Aakarshi Kashyap lost to Michelle Li of Canada 13-21 18-21 to bow out of the tournament in the first round.
Malvika Bansod battled her way into the second round with a fighting 17-21 21-15 21-11 win over Ukraine’s Maria Ultina.
She will next face Line Christopherson of Denmark.
The mixed doubles pair of B Sumeeth Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa also suffered a first round exit, losing to the eighth-seeded Japanese duo of Yuki Kaneko and Misaki Matsutomo 17-21 17-21 in 34 minutes.
It was also curtains for B Sai Praneeth and Sourabh Verma in the men’s singles opening round.
While Praneeth lost 12-21 13-21 to Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand, Sourabh was shown the door by Toma Junior Popov of France 20-22 12-21.
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