Indonesia Masters: Saina enters semis, Sindhu crashes out (Lead)

Jakarta, Jan 25 (IANS) Indian star Saina Nehwal defeated Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in straight games to enter the semi-finals of the Indonesia Masters badminton tournament here on Friday.The eighth seeded London Olympics bronze medallist took just 33 minutes to carve out a comprehensive 21-7, 21-18 victory over her unseeded Thai opponent.Saina will take on sixth seed He Bingjiao of China for a place in the final.Bingjiao defeated compatriot Chen Xiaoxin in the last eight stage.It was however curtains for P.V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth.Sindhu crashed out following a loss to reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain while Srikanth lost to Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.The second seeded Sindhu struggled to match the fifth seeded Marin, going down 11-21, 12-21 after a 37-minute battle.Srikanth, on the other hand, lost 18-21, 19-21 to Asian Games champion Christie in the men's singles match.
--IANS gau/bg