Srikanth Loses; Unnati, Priyanshi, Kiran Win At Syed Modi International

India's Kidambi Srikanth bowed out with a straight-game loss in the opening round but young Unnati Hooda shocked compatriot Aakarshi Kashyap to make it to the second round of the Syed Modi International badminton tournament on Wednesday. Former world no.

1 Srikanth, a 2021 World championships silver medallist, lost 21-23 8-21 to Korea's Chia Hao Lee, continuing his dismal run in international circuit this season. The 16-year-old Unnati, who is touted as one of the finest talents in women's singles, rallied her way to a stunning 15-21 21-19 21-18 win over Kashyap in a 77-minute Round of 32 clash of the BWF Super 300 tournament.

The young shuttler from Rohtak will next face Japan's former world champion Nozomi Okuhara, who prevailed 18-21 21-17 21-10 over another Indian Malvika Bansod in another match.