Orleans (France): India's Priyanshu Rajawat notched up a stunning straight-game win over top seed Kenta Nishimoto of Japan to progress to the men's singles quarterfinals of the Orleans Masters Super 300 badminton tournament here on Thursday.
World No. 58 Rajawat showed immaculate skills and tactical acumen en route to a 21-8, 21-16 win over world No. 12 Nishimoto, who had claimed the Madrid Spain Masters title last Sunday.
Rajawat, who was part of India's Thomas Cup winning team, came out all guns blazing, galloping to a huge 10-0 lead in the opening game as Nishimoto found the going tough despite all his efforts, which saw him grab just eight points.
After the change of sides, the Japanese managed to move to a 6-2 advantage but Rajawat soon clawed back at 10-10.
Nishimoto took a one-point cushion to go into the mid-game break but a burst of six points helped the Indian gain a 16-11 lead.
The Japanese once again led a fightback but Rajawat managed to keep his nose ahead.
In another men's singles match, Mithun Manjunath lost to Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei 15-21, 19-21 in the round of 16.
In women's singles, Tanya Hemanth also suffered an 8-21, 17-21 defeat at the hands of Natsuki Nidaira of Japan in round of 16.
The mixed doubles pair of Sai Pratheek and Tanisha Crasto went down fighting to seventh-seeded Malaysian duo of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei 23-21, 17-21, 21-23 in the pre-quarterfinals.
