KATHMANDU, July 8: Nepal's top ranked shuttler Ratnajit Tamang sailed into men's pre-quarterfinal round of the US Open Grand Prix badminton championship being held in California, USA.
Ratnajit, who got a walk-over from Japanese opponent in the first round, defeated an opponent from Guatemala 18-21, 21-15, 21-8 in the second round to secure a berth in the last 16.
With the win in the second round, Ratnajit also confirmed a prize money of US$ 750, according to Ramji Bahadur Shrestha, president of Nepal Badminton Association.
Ratnajit will now face opponent from Israel in the pre-quarterfinal and the winner will pocket US$ 2000. The champion of the tournament will bag a purse of US$ 120,000.
Meanwhile, the pair of Ratnajit and Bikash Shrestha was defeated in the men's doubles event against Canadian opponents by the score of 21-12, 23-21.
The tournament will conclude on July 10.