Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112754291800.htm

Sport - Badminton

Bhat stuns Persson

Hong Kong: Arvind Bhat stunned World No. 8 Joachim Persson of Denmark in straight games in the first round of the Hong Kong Super Series badminton championship, here on Wednesday.

Among other Indians in the fray, Saina Nehwal defeated Thailand’s Salakjit Ponsana 21-19, 22-20 in the women’s singles first round, while Bhat scored a 21-17, 21-17 win over Persson to advance to the second round.

Chetan Anand also made it to the next round by unsettling Czech Republic’s Petr Koukal 21-18, 17-21, 21-13.

Meanwhile in women’s doubles, Saina and her Canadian partner Anna Rice were handed a 16-21, 11-21 defeat by the Malaysian duo of Chiou Hwee Haw and Pek Siah Lim. — PTI