Saina Nehwal, Ajay Jayaram win in Malaysia Masters

Top Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Ajay Jayaram reached the prequarterfinals of the season-opening Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold after notching up contrasting wins in women’s and men’s singles competition respectively here on Wednesday.

Top seed Saina, who is desperatley looking for a win to boost her confidence after recovering from a knee surgery which derailed her Rio Olympics campaign lat year, spanked Thailand’s Chasinee Korepap 21-9 21-8 in a lop-sided contest.

The 26-year-old Indian, who clinched the Australian Open last year before injuring her knee just ahead of the Olympics, will face Indonesia’s Hanna Ramadini next.

Sixth seed Jayaram, who has been in good form at the Premier badminton League, eked out a 21-10 17-21 21-14 win over Malaysia’s Jun Hao Leong in the opening round before mauling Indonesia’s Saputra Vicky Angga 21-9 21-12 in the second match.