Rio de Janeiro: Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth progressed through to the round of 16 with a crushing straight games win over Sweden`s Henri Hurskainen in the men`s singles event here at the Rio Olympics on Sunday.
Srikanth, the only Indian male shuttler in fray in singles, claimed a 21-6, 21-18 win over the Swedish rival in a contest that lasted over half-an-hour at Riocentro-Pavilion 4.
The Indian world number 11 will next play his pre-quarterfinal round on Monday.
Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal crashed out of the Rio Olympics in a stunning upset after suffering a straight games defeat against world number 61 Maria Ulitina in her second and final women`s singles group stage contest earlier in the day.
Saina, the bronze medallist at the 2012 London Games, was beaten 18-21, 19-21 by unheralded Ukrainian opponent in a magnificent game of badminton.
India, which have sent their largest-ever contingent of 119 athletes in Rio Olympics, are yet to open their medal account in the ongoing Summer Games.
