Saina Nehwal reaches second round of French Open

NEW DELHI: Indian ace Saina Nehwal started her campaign at the French Open Super Series on a positive note, thrashing Jie Yao of Holland in straight-games to reach the second round of the women's singles event at Paris on Wednesday.

Fourth seed Saina beat Jie 21-14, 21-9 in just 29 minutes and will take on the winner between Chinese Xuerui Li and Youn Joo Bae of Korea on Thursday.

2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Chetan Anand, who was off from international circuit for most part of the season, could not cross the first hurdle and retired hurt midway after losing the first game 13-21 against Brice Leverdez of France.

The 21-year-old Saina didn't give her opponent any chance as she reeled off 22 smashes against just one by Jie and also pocketed seven net winners compared to the two points which the Dutch could gather.

Jie's challenge lasted till 4-4 as the Indian soon opened up a 8-4 lead and kept extending the lead to walk away with the first game comfortably.

In the second game, Saina was more ruthless as she moved in giant steps and before Jie could gather herself shut the door on her face in a jiffy.

World number four Saina had crashed out of the second round last week at the Denmark Open Super Series.