On a comeback trail, Nikhil, recovering from a shin injury sustained at the Guwahati Satellite tournament in 2007, had little practice going into the match. And while he managed to keep up with Chetan in the first set, recovering from a 4-8 deficit to take a 13-12 lead, he had expended much too much energy. Lefty Nikhil lost 15-21, 13-21, drained out also by the three other matches played during the course of the day.

But it was Chennai-based Siddharth Jain — a member of the national panel of coaches — who caused two upsets on the day, at the Siri Fort sports complex during the open event.

After the ONGC-employee had devoured India No 4 Aravind Bhat, who faltered yet again, the unseeded, un-ranked player avenged his loss to JBS Vidhyadhar in the team event. He won 21-14, 13-21, 21-17.

“I was ready for his smashes and I wasn’t giving him any chances to hit,” said the boyish-looking 32-year-old. “I had been practicing for just this tournament since I’m a coach,” said Siddharth, who played with a heavily-strapped right knee as a precautionary measure after a surgery.

In the other men’s quarter-finals of the day, IOCL’s P Kashyap had a comprehensive win over A Husain with the India No.2 winning 21-6, 21-4. He meets No.6 Ravider Singh in the semis, Ravinder beat Thomas Kurein 24-22, 21-13.

In the depleted women’s field, Aditi Mutatkar, BR Meenakshi, Neelima and Aparna Balan advanced to the semi-finals.