Guangzhou, Nov 18 (IANS) India's Arvind Bhat lost to Thailand's Boonsak Ponsana 19-21, 12-21 to bow out of the pre-quarterfinal of badminton men's singles at the Asian Games here Thursday.

Bhat fought back from 4-7 down in the first game and even took the lead at 12-11. From there on it was a neck-and-neck contest as both players tested each other. The seasoned Ponsana held his nerve and closed out the game.

Having taken the lead, Ponsana, seeded sixth, tightened his grip in the second game as Bhat fizzled out.

Medal hope Saina Nehwal, seeded second, will face Hong Kong's Yip Pui Pin in the quarterfinal later in the day.

The other Indian shuttlers in fray Thursday are the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V.Diju, who will take on South Korean Shin Baekcheol and Lee Hyojung.

With Bhat's loss, India's challenge in men's singles ended. Parupalli Kashyap lost to Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Minh 14-21, 20-22 Wednesday. India players are also out of the men and women's doubles draws.