Defending champion Saina Nehwal stormed into a home turf semi-final at the India Open yesterday, with Japan’s number two seed Kento Momota booking his place in men’s event.
Second seed Nehwal had a tough fight to down fifth seed South Korean Sung Ji Hyun in 83 minutes.
The 26-year-old dropped the first set but battled hard to win 19-21, 21-14, 21-19 in front of a cheering home crowd.  
The Olympic bronze medallist will next meet world number 2 Li Xuerui of China, who beat compatriot Wang Shixian 22-20, 12-21, 21-17 in the quarters.
Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon defeated Taiwan’s eighth seeded Tai Tzu Ying 12-21 21-14 22-20 in another closely contested quarter final match, while India’s Pusarla Sindhu lost to South Korean Bae Yeon Ju 15-21, 21-15, 21-15.
On men’s side, Japan’s Kento Momota thrashed Denmark’s unseeded Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in straight sets 21-8, 21-9 to qualify for the next round today.
Fifth seed Dane Viktor Axelsen beat Wei Nan of Hong Kong 21-17, 21-12.  
On Thursday star shuttlers Lin Dan of China and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei crashed out of the tournament.