Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu advanced to the second round of the women’s singles event at the All England Championships after her German opponent Yvonne Li retired after the first match on Tuesday. Former world champion Sindhu, ranked 11th in the world, won the first game 21-10, and then Li Na, ranked 26th in the world, decided to admit defeat. The 28-year-old from Hyderabad will next face top seed An Se-young of South Korea, who has proven her nemesis after beating her in six encounters in international badminton. In fact, Sindhu has only managed to steal a match from the world number one Korean once, when they met at the Asian Championships in Dubai last year.

An Se-young, who is recovering from a right knee injury, won her second title of the season at the French Open last Sunday.

Sindhu and Li seemed to be having a battle at 4-4, but the Indian quickly pulled away and led 11-7 at the break. She effortlessly extended her advantage.

In the end, Li Na’s flick serve went into the net. Sindhu got 11 game points and completed the conversion when the German scored from long distance.