Shuttler Anmol enters last 16

Astana: Young Indian shuttler Anmol Kharb overcame a strong challenge from country-mate and top seed Malvika Bansod to enter the women's singles pre-quarterfinals of the Kazakhstan International Challenge here on Wednesday. The 17-year-old Anmol, winner of the Badminton Asia Team Championships gold and the reigning national champion, overcame Malvika's challenge 21-13 22-20 in 59 minutes.

The world No. 333 will take on Indonesia's 21-year-old shutter Nurani Ratu Azzahra in the last-16 round. Earlier in the two qualification rounds, Anmol got a walkover from Kamila Smagulova of Kazakhstan before beating Cassey Rynn Rompog of Malaysia 21-91 21-9 to secure a place in the main draw. In other pre-quarterfinals of women's singles, Anupama Upadhyaya defeated qualifier Harshitaa Rout 21-13 21-13, while Tanya Hemanth got the better of qualifier Aishani Tiwari 21-19 21-10.

Keyura Mopati overcame Vanessa Maricela Garcia of Mexico 21-18 21-13, while qualifier Aneri Kotak got a walkover from Wiktoria Dabczyska of Poland. In mixed doubles pre-quarterfinals, India's Dhanraj Srivatsa and Maneesha K beat Kazakh pair of Makhsut Tajibullayev and Romualda Batyrova 21-5 21-12, while the duo of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani defeated Uzbekistan's Biloliddin Kuchkarboev and Diana Garamova 21-16 21-11.