Indonesia Open: Srikanth's title defence ends, Sindhu in pre-quarters

Jakarta: Defending champion Kidambi Srikanth's campaign ended with a narrow opening-round loss but Olympic silver medallist P.V. Sindhu eked out a thrilling win to progress to the women's Singles pre-quarterfinals of the USD 1,250,000 Indonesia Open BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournament here on Wednesday. Former World No.1 Srikanth suffered his second successive loss to in-form Japanese Kento Momota, ranked 11th, in two weeks. The Indian lost 21-12 14-21 15-21 in the opening match that lasted exactly an hour at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno. However, Sindhu brought some smiles back in the Indian camp after seeing off Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-15 19-21 21-13, setting up a clash with Japan's Aya Ohori on the eve of her 23rd birthday on Thursday.