PV Sindhu shines on return to top 10, Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth crash out at Indonesia Open
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu emerged as the lone bright spot for India at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 on Tuesday, securing a hard-fought opening-round win and marking her return to the world’s top 10 in the latest BWF rankings.
Sindhu, who moved back to World No. 10 for the first time in 31 months, overcame Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan 25-23, 21-16 to advance to the second round at Jakarta’s Istora Senayan.
The rest of India’s singles campaign, however, endured a disappointing start. Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth suffered another early exit, going down 19-21, 15-21 to Japan’s Yushi Tanaka. The defeat extended Srikanth’s difficult season, with the Indian shuttler yet to progress beyond the second round of any tournament this year.
Lakshya Sen also bowed out in the opening round after a 19-21, 16-21 loss to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. The Commonwealth Games champion struggled to find momentum against the home favourite despite arriving in Jakarta on the back of a quarter-final finish at last week’s Singapore Open.
In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod was unable to challenge seventh seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand, losing 12-21, 10-21.
India’s doubles contingent also had a tough day. Women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand exited after a 14-21, 12-21 defeat to Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Meilysa Trias Puspitasari.
The mixed doubles duo of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto were beaten 11-21, 10-21 by sixth-seeded Chinese pair Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui.
The only other Indian victory came in men’s doubles, where Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun produced an impressive performance to defeat Malaysia’s Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong 21-18, 21-10 and move into the second round.
India’s challenge at the prestigious Super 1000 event will continue on Wednesday, with HS Prannoy and Ayush Shetty set to begin their campaigns.
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