Sai Praneeth loses to Rajiv Ouseph in Bitburger Badminton Open, Indian challenge ends

SAARBRUCKEN, GERMANY: B Sai Praneeth lost his singles pre-quarterfinal match against England's Rajiv Ouseph in a three-setter as Indian challenge at the Bitburger Badminton Open Grand Prix Gold came to an end here.

The 16th seeded Sai put up a brave fight before going down to the fifth seeded Englishman 21-17 6-21 18-21 in 50 minutes at the Saarlandhalle Saarbrucken.

Earlier, the Indian had registered a 24-22 21-17 win over Indonesia's Andre Kurniawan Tedjono to book a last 16 berth in the $120,000 event.

In the women's doubles, the second seeded Indian duo of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa were stunned by the Dutch pair of Samantha Barning and Iris Tabeling in a second round match.

The Indians lost 21-23 21-13 24-26 to the unseeded Dutch duo in a thrilling match.