NEW DELHI: India's Saina Nehwal defeated Jiayuan Chen of Singapore 21-16, 21-12 to move into the second round of the women's singles event in the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold at Alor Setar Wednesday.
Top seeded Saina, who was upset in the first round of India Open Super Series last week, will take on Japan's Ayane Kurihara in the second round, according to reports received here.
Saina is the only Indian left in the tournament as other contenders in men's singles fell by the wayside.
Parupalli Kashyap, seeded 12th, defeated Malaysian Chong Chieh Lok 22-20, 21-7 in the first round, but then lost to Brice Leverdez of France 21-17, 15-21, 18-21.
Arvind Bhat and Anup Sridhar also lost in the second round.
Bhat defeated Hong Kong's Yun Lung Kuan 21-14, 21-19 before losing to Japan's Sho Sasaki 21-13, 20-22, 15-21.
Sridhar got the better of eighth seed Malaysian Choong Hann Wong 21-15, 21-15, but went down to Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro 18-21, 7-21 in the second round.
Guru Sai Dutt, who made it to the quarterfinals of the India Open Super Series, gave a tough challenge to Beryno Jiann Tze Wong France before losing 21-19, 21-23, 18-21.
Anand Pawar lost to third seed Tien Minh Nguyen 21-10, 7-21, 16-21.
Ajay Jayram went down to South Korean Hyun Il Lee, seeded ninth.
uper Series.