Australia Super Series 2017 | Saina and Sindhu progress to the second round

Meanwhile, PV Sindhu faced a tough challenge in her matchup against Indonesia Super Series winner Sayaka Sato in the first round. Sindhu clinched the first game 21-17 but the Japanese clawed her way back into the match by winning the second 21-14 to level things up. In the decider, both the shuttlers played some splendid badminton to keep the game tied at 7-7. However, Sindhu surged ahead to take an 11-9 lead at the break which she extended to 20-15 after the resumption. Sato did not submit easily and once again tried to make a comeback, winning three consecutive points to reduce the deficit to two points at 20-18. Sindhu showed nerves of steel to edge past the Japenese and progress to the second round of the tournament.

India's Ruthvika Shivani Gadde ended her campaign in the Australian Super Series with a first round defeat of 21-17, 12-21, 21-12 at the hands of Chinese Chen Xiaoxin.

However, it was curtains for Indonesia Open semi-finalist HS Prannoy who lost his first round match to England's Rajiv Ouseph 19-21, 13-21 to make an early exit. Ajay Jayram, Praupalli Kashyap, and Siril Verma also suffered the same feat in their respective matches in the men's singles category.