Saina advances at All England Championship

Birmingham, March 7 (IANS) Indian star Saina Nehwal defeated Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt of Denmark in a hard fought encounter to enter the third round of the women's singles category at the All England Championship badminton tournament here on Thursday. Saina was off to a rough start but fought back from a game down before prevailing 8-21, 21-16, 21-13 in 51 minutes. But there was bad news for Indian fans from the men's singles competition as B. Sai Praneeth crashed out following a straight games loss to NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong. Praneeth was no match for his opponent in the men's singles match up, going down 21-12, 21-17 in just 35 minutes. Earlier on Wednesday night, Saina Nehwal defeated Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland to advance to the second round of the women's singles category. Saina registered a 21-17, 21-18 straight sets victory against the Scotland player on Wednesday night. The match lasted 35 minutes.