Sports India

Saina Nehwal started her campaign in the Asian Junior badminton championship with a victory over Guerrero Raquel of Philippines in the second round singles event here.

Sixteen-year-old Saina, seeded second, scored a convincing 21-2, 21-8 win over Raquel to move into the third round where she meets China’s Wen Cheng.

Saina, who rose to stardom after a historic Philippines Open win last month, had got a bye in the first round.

India’s Gayatri Vartak did not have to toil much to beat Nabila Akhtar of Bangladesh 21-11, 21-13, while G.M. Nischita got the better of Vietnamese Vu Thi Trang 21-13, 21-17 in the girls’ singles.

In the girls’ doubles, Gayatri Vartak and Nischita beat Hong Kong’s Chan Tsz Ka and Yeung Hin Tung 21-16, 21-15 in the only match featuring Indians.