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Saina crashes out of New Zealand Open after shocking loss to world number 212

India's Saina Nehwal suffered a shocking first round loss to world number 212 Wang Zhiyi of China to exit the New Zealand Open on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Olympic bronze medallist and world number nine lost 16-21 23-21 4-21 to her 19-year-old opponent in the women's singles match that lasted one hour and seven minutes.


In men's singles, Lakshya Sen's campaign also ended with a hard-fought loss against Taiwan's Wang Tzu Wei. Lakshya lost 21-15 18-21 10-21 in an hour and eight minutes.

Earlier in the day, the pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy fought hard against Chinese duo of Liu Xuanxuan and Xia Yuting before losing 14-21 23-21 14-21 in an hour and 10 minutes.

But the men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy registered a win over New Zealand's Joshua Feng and Jack Jiang 21-17 21-10.

Saina, a World Championship silver medallist, trailed 0-4 in the first game and was unable to keep up with her opponent losing 16-21.

Wang stretched Saina in the second game which the Indian won 23-21. There was no fightback from the Indian in the decider as Wang won eight consecutive points to win it easily.

Anura Prabhudesai also lost to world number 15 Li Xuerui 9-21 10-21 in singles first round on a disappointing day for Indian shuttlers.

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Piyush Pandey

Pandey changed the way India saw advertising with simple everyday ideas

Getty Images

Piyush Pandey, advertising legend behind Fevicol and Cadbury ads, dies at 70

Highlights:

  • Ogilvy legend passed away Friday at 70 after battling an infection.
  • His Fevicol and Cadbury ads became part of everyday life in India.
  • Leaders from Modi to advertising world peers paid tribute to his genius.
  • Received the Padma Shri in 2016.

That image of a woman dancing on a cricket pitch after a Cadbury chocolate. The sight of a bus so packed it needed Fevicol to hold it together. Piyush Pandey created those moments. The advertising legend died at 70 on Friday after an infection, leaving a hole in the industry that feels oddly personal. His last rites are scheduled for Saturday at 11am at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

Piyush Pandey Pandey changed the way India saw advertising with simple everyday ideas Getty Images

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