The victory was further special for the 20-year-old southpaw as she defeated as the 2012 Olympics bronze medallist in straight games 21-17, 21-9 in a match that lasted mere 35 minutes.
Former champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Saina suffered a 17-21 9-21 straight game loss to compatriot Malvika Bansod.
Siddharth had been engulfed in a controversy that erupted after the actor in a Twitter post on January 6, retweeted a post by Nehwal in which she had expressed her concern over the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit on January 5.
Saina advanced after Czech Republic’s Tereza Svabikova retired at the start of the second game with the Indian leading 22-20, 1-0.
Actor Siddharth, whose response to a tweet by badminton player Saina Nehwal has stirred up a controversy, tendered an apology to the badminton star for what he called a 'rude joke'. Saina accepted the apology saying she doesn't understand why it went viral in the first place.
Siddharth clarified that he had no "malicious" intent and that he is a "feminist ally". "I, however, must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and i assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman."
Siddharth stirred up a controversy recently when he put out a tweet in response to ace badminton player Saina Nehwal condemning PM Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab. He was trolled on social media for his choice of words which many thought was inappropriate.
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach during his recent visit to Punjab, Saina had tweeted, "No nation can claim itself to be safe if the security of its own PM gets compromised. I condemn, in the strongest words possible, the cowardly attack on PM Modi by anarchists."
Actor Siddharth landed in troubled waters after his controversial tweet against badminton player Saina Nehwal. The actor was brutally trolled and explanations were demanded. In addition to these, paparazzo Manav Manglani announced that he will be boycotting the actor henceforth.
The NCW demanded that Twitter India should immediately block actor Siddharth's tweet, and said the tweet was "misogynist and outrageous."
Saina Nehwal tweeted in reference to PM Narendra Modi's convoy's security breach in Punjab's Ferozepur on January 5. Siddharth's response to it was believed to be a 'sexual comment', which did not go down well with many on social media.
Former World No.1 Saina Nehwal will miss the World Championships for the first time in her international career due to multiple injuries that have derailed her season.
Sindhu is likely to cross swords with Spain's Clara Azurmendi and Canada's sixth seed Michelle Li in the next two rounds and a clash against top seeded Japanese Akane Yamaguchi could be on the cards in the semifinals if she can cross the initial rounds.
PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen sailed into the second round but it was curtains for Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth on a mixed day for Indian shuttlers at the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament.
Saina is likely to be rested for the next match against minnows Scotland in an Uber Cup preliminary round match on Tuesday.
Starting the proceedings for India, London Olympics bronze medallist Saina had to concede her match after losing the first game 20-22 against Spain's Clara Azurmendi.
BAI also on Sunday named a 12-member Indian team for the Sudirman Cup, which is slated to take place from September 26 to October 3 in Finland.
Sindhu, the reigning world champion, on Sunday became only the second Indian and first woman from the country to claim two Olympics medals, after she won a bronze in Tokyo, five years after claiming a silver at Rio Games.
Battling injuries and indifferent form, Saina, 31, couldn't make her fourth Olympics after the sport's governing body, BWF, cancelled the last three qualifiers due to the pandemic.
Former world no 1 Srikanth and London Games bronze-medallist Saina's hopes were all but dashed when the last of the Olympic qualifiers in Singapore was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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