Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 17: India's M R Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan advanced to the second round of the men's doubles category at the BWF Badminton World Championships in New Delhi after their Irish opponents Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds retired hurt.

The Indian pair had won the opening game 21-16 and were leading 6-4 in the second when Guildea and Reynolds were forced to retire.

Arjun and Amsakarunan expressed happiness over the victory and credited the home crowd for helping boost their confidence during the match.

Speaking to the media after the contest, the Indian duo said the support and cheers from the home fans gave them added confidence. They also said winning the early points in the opening game helped them take control of the match.

Later in the day, former world champion and ninth seed P V Sindhu will face Ireland's Sophia Noble in the women's singles category.

In women's doubles, India's Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will take on Spain's Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez in the first round.

Indian debutant Ayush Shetty is also set to face a major challenge in the men's singles category. He will meet world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China in the evening session.