India made a disappointing start in the Asian Badminton Championships, with Sayali Gokhale and P C Thulasi crashing out in the qualifying round of the women's singles at the Suwon Indoor Stadium in Korea on Tuesday.
National champion Sayali thrashed Mendjargal Munkhchimeg of 21-8, 21-4 in just 20 minutes in the first round, but the Pune teen could not continue her winning run and lost in the next round.
Up against Chinese Zhu Jingjing, Sayali failed to recreate her form and lost 21-17, 21-13 in just over 30 minutes.
In contrast, Kerala's PC Thulasi played her heart out against Taiwan's Pai Min Jie but could not get past her, losing 9-21, 22-20, 7-21 in a 50-minute battle.
Sayali had beaten Thulasi in the final to emerge as new National champion in February.
Thulasi also created a flutter when she dethroned world number 100 Neha Pandit of Maharashtra in the third round of the National badminton championship.
