KIDAMBI SRIKANTH, who is struggling to come out of a lean patch, entered the quarterfinals of Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur after defeating Ireland's Nhat Nguyen in his second-round match on Thursday.
The 32-year-old veteran prevailed 23-21, 21-17 in the 59-minute showdown against world number 33 Nguyen.
Srikanth, currently ranked 65, will face France's Toma Junior Popov in the last-eight stage.
Popov ousted another Indian, Ayush Shetty, with a 21-13, 21-17 triumph in his second-round match.
HS Prannoy also suffered a 9-21 18-21 defeat to Japan's Yushi Tanaka in his men's singles pre-quarterfinal match.
Sathish Karunakaran was also beaten in straight sets by Toma's brother Christo Popov 14-21, 16-21.
In the doubles competition, Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila advanced to the quarterfinals of the mixed event with a 21-17, 18-21, 21-15 victory over France's Lea Palermo and Julien Maio.
They will next be up against the Chinese combination of Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin.
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