India’s Nikhil Kanetkar stayed on course for a podium finish of the World Senior Championships after posting a comprehensive win over Switzerland’s Oliver Colin in the +35 age category to make it to quarter-finals in Kochi on Wednesday.
Kanetkar, who represented India in 2004 Summer Olympics and various other BWF tournaments in the past, rolled back the years to register a dominating 21-17, 21-18 victory in just 28 minutes. He is now only one win away from sealing a medal.
He will now take on Hendrik Westermeyer of Germany in the next round. Kanetkar, who is playing in his maiden international tournament after seven years, was in fine form and has emerged as one of the favourites to win the championship, “It has been a long time that I am on the court playing an international tournament. It has been good so far and I feel I have a good chance of winning a medal,” Kanetkar said.
Talking about his opponent in the next round, he said, “I do not have much idea about him but you can never say. These players are very fit and do keep on playing regularly and I expect a good competition.”
Gupta, Shashidhar and Aneesh shine
Meanwhile, another Indian, Abhinn Shyam Gupta beat Kristof Horvath of Hungary 21-18, 21-19 to ease into the quarter-finals of the championship in the +35 men’s singles category. He will now face top seeded and defending champion Stanislav Pukhov of Russia.
In the +40 age category, CM Shashidhar registered an upset victory over top seeded Lars Klintrup of Denmark 21-8, 21-11 to earn his spot in the last eight. He will take on Thaweesak Koetsriphan of Thailand in his next match.
KA Aneesh is also a win away from securing a medal after he advanced to the quarters by beating Morten Aarup of Denmark 21-11, 21-12. He will face England’s Carl Jennings in the next round.
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