Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu huffed and puffed her way to the women’s singles second round while Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, the protagonists of India’s historic Thomas Cup triumph, suffered contrasting fates in the opening round of Thailand Open here on Wednesday.

Sindhu, seeded sixth and ranked seventh in the world, staved off a spirited challenge from World No. 62, USA’s Lauren Lam 21-19, 19-21, 21-18. Srikanth, seeded eighth, produced a gritty show to get the better of Brice Leverdez of France 18-21, 21-10, 21-16.